Podolski signed for Japanese side, Vissel Kobe, from Galatasaray in March for a reported $5m and got off to the perfect start by netting a brace on his debut against Omiya Ardija.

The forward, who scored 34 goals in 75 appearances while in Turkey, netted his first just after half-time from outside the box. It was a typical Poldi goal – a thunderous smack with his left boot.

His second was a neat header.

Vissel Kobe won 3-1 in the end, putting them in ninth with 29 points since the J-League started in February, 14 points ahead of their opposition, Omiya Ardija, and 12 points behind leaders Cerezo Osaka.

According to the Mirror, Podolski is the highest-profile player to move to the J-League since former Manchester United striker, Diego Forlan, signed for Cerezo Osaka in 2014.

Poldi scored 31 goals and assisted 17 in 82 appearances for Arsenal before joining Inter Milan for a season-long loan in 2015 and then signing for Galatasaray permanently.

Next see the goals!