Marquee signing Andres Iniesta trained with J-League side Vissel Kobe for the first time Friday morning.

The Barcelona legend looked in good spirits as he warmed up with teammates and took part in passing drills during the early part of the training session open to the press.

Believed to have inked a multiyear deal with an annual salary of $30 million, Iniesta could make his J-League debut against Shonan Bellmare at Noevir Stadium on Sunday.

"While I'm not quite 100 percent, I feel very good," Iniesta said following training. "I want to prepare properly so I can play in my best condition."

"I'm sure I'll have a tough time adapting to my new environment, but I knew that even before signing with the team," he said.

Vissel manager Takayuki Yoshida will likely decide after Saturday's training whether the Spanish star will make his J-League debut the following day. Meanwhile, a teammate expressed his excitement about joining Iniesta on the pitch.

"He has always been my role model," midfielder Hirotaka Mita said. "I want to steal techniques from him and master those."

The 34-year-old, who arrived in Japan on Wednesday, was greeted by around 300 fans at Kansai airport.

The midfielder announced his retirement from international play on July 1 after earning his 131st cap with Spain as they were knocked out of the World Cup by hosts Russia in the round of 16 on penalties.

Vissel are owned by Japanese internet powerhouse Rakuten Inc., which is currently a shirt sponsor of Barcelona. In April, Iniesta announced he would be leaving Barcelona this summer after completing his 22nd year with the club.

Last year, Vissel acquired former Germany international Lukas Podolski, who is currently sidelined with a left foot injury sustained during training last month. The club is currently sixth in the J-League top flight.