Galliani: Honda to join AC Milan in January

AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani has confirmed that CSKA Moscow attacking midfielder Keisuke Honda will join the club on a free transfer Jan. 3.

The Japan international was initially expected to join the Rossoneri ahead of the 2013-14 campaign, but the Serie A side ultimately failed to reach an agreement with the Russian club over a transfer fee. However, Galliani announced Wednesday that the 27-year-old Honda will make his belated arrival at San Siro during the upcoming winter break.

"Honda will be a Milan player Jan. 3 and will wear the No. 10 jersey," Galliani told reporters. "We can finally end the secrecy. The deal can be made official now. I do not know whether he will already be available on Jan. 6 [against Atalanta] due to all the paperwork that will have to be sorted."

Honda started his professional career with Nagoya Grampus and also wore the VVV jersey before joining CSKA in January 2010.