09 May “We would love him to stay”: Victory desperate to keep “phenomenal” Honda

Melbourne Victory captain Carl Valeri remains hopeful of marquee man Keisuke Honda staying at the club beyond this season.

Honda, 32, revealed last week that he plans on leaving the Victory once his one-year contract expires at the end of the campaign.

“I still don’t decide where I will play next year. But as I mentioned, I knew that I would stay for just (one) year," the Japanese superstar told Fox Sports.

“So I hope no-one is surprised, no-one (is) disappointed."

Valeri and his teammates are doing their best to persuade Honda to extend his stay with the A-League champions.

“We all try and tell him to stay. He loves it here,” Valeri told SEN’s KB and The Doc.

“He does love it in Australia, his family is enjoying it and obviously we would love him to stay.

“A player of his calibre, his professionalism and just his sheer hard work is phenomenal – we would love to keep him.

“Keisuke is a unique person and he likes to travel and explore different countries. I hope he can stay but that’s all up to him.”

Valeri and the Victory are gearing up for a blockbuster A-League semi-final against Sydney FC at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Sunday night.

Honda update, for Kubota – Building Australia.

Listen to Carl Valeri's chat on SEN's KB and The Doc with Kevin Bartlett and Dr Turf in the player below