Arsenal icon Podolski gets into Japanese culture by wearing a sumo belt
German international is playing for Vissel Kobe and reckons he can put his new skills to use on the field
FORMER Arsenal star Lukas Podolski has revealed a new training method - sumo wrestling.
The 130-cap German international, 33, joined Japense outfit Vissel Kobe in March 2017.
And he has been doing his best to soak up the local culture after being pictured wearing a mawashi (Sumo belt).
Podolski has scored 10 goals in 39 games for the J League outfit.
And he joked that the new techniques he learned can be put to use on the field as he crouched in a Sumo pose at training.
David Villa and Andres Iniesta have joined Podolski in a star-studded Vissel team.
Japanese football is on the up and a number of talents have decided to play in the J League.
Former Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd has settled in the Asian country after a brief stint in Thailand.
And while he has admitted Japanese culture is a shock to the system, with tattoos a taboo, Bothroyd called on more players to join him.
The England international, 36, is aiming to be the first Englishman to win silverware in the country with his Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo team-mates.