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Keisuke Honda joins Mexican club Pachuca after AC Milan exit

Japan international Keisuke Honda has signed for Liga MX club Pachuca in a surprise move.

Honda, 31, had been a free agent after parting ways with AC Milan at the end of last season and had recently been training with Orange County SC amid links to Major League Soccer clubs.

However, Pachuca announced that they had signed the winger on Friday and Honda himself tweeted in Spanish: "I've just signed for Pachuca. I hope to see the fans soon."

The former CSKA Moscow player was sold to Milan for a reported €20 million and had been linked to leagues all over the world after his contract with the Serie A club ended.

Pachuca is currently the CONCACAF Champions League holder and is set to play the Club World Cup in December.

The Japan star is likely to be a replacement for Mexico international Hirving Lozano, who was sold to PSV Eindhoven last month.

Honda spent most of last season on the bench for Milan and has previously played for Japanese side Nagoya Grampus and VVV Venlo in the Netherlands.