Premier League flop and ex-Barcelona ace once dubbed ‘the next Lionel Messi’ leaves TENTH club

BARCELONA academy graduate and ex-Stoke ace Bojan Krkic is set to find himself without a club for the TENTH time aged only 32.

Bojan has confirmed his spell at Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe is coming to an end, which means the nomadic career of the once dubbed "next Lionel Messi" is set to extend.

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The forward reunited with Barca legend Andres Iniesta in the J1 League last year but only managed one goal and three assists in 26 appearances.

Bojan said: "I would like to thank everyone involved with Vissel Kobe for giving me the opportunity to come to Japan and experience this country and the league.

"While interacting with the culture of this country, I felt the love and respect from everyone.

"Thanks to that, I was able to adapt to the environment right away, and I developed a sense of respect for Japan as a country.

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"My challenge at Vissel Kobe will end with this, but I will continue to support the team as a supporter with this memory as a treasure."

Bojan looked destined for greatness when he was promoted to Barcelona's first team by then manager Pep Guardiola in 2007 and looked set to follow in Messi's footsteps.

The former Spain international quickly became the club's youngest ever goalscorer - before Ansu Fati broke his record - but has since seen his career nosedive.

The versatile striker fell out of favour at the Nou Camp and moved to Roma in 2011 but only lasted a year before being sent out on loan at AC Milan.

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The Spaniard returned to Barcelona in 2013 but was immediately loaned out to Ajax after impressing Blaugrana legend Johan Cruyff.

Bojan was signed by Stoke a year later with then manager Mark Hughes singing his praises.

During his time on the Potters' books he amassed 16 goals and three assists in 85 appearances across all competitions.

Bojan spent two of his five years at the bet365 Stadium on loan to Mainz and Alaves.

He left Stoke in 2019 for the MLS as he signed for Montreal Impact where he only stayed for a year before joining Vissel Kobe.