Southampton agree to sign Japanese Olympic captain
Southampton have agreed the signing of Japan defender and Olympic captain Maya Yoshida, subject to international clearance.
The 24-year-old will move to the Premier League side from Dutch Eredivisie outfit VVV-Venlo on a three-year deal. The centre back, capped 17 times by his country, captained Japan to fourth at the London 2012 Olympics and scored in their 3-0 last-eight win over Egypt.
In a statement on Southampton’s official site, Yoshida expressed his delight at joining the Saints: “To come to the Premier League was one of my biggest dreams since I was a child. I am very grateful to be able to become a Saint and I will do my best for the team and for the supporters.”
Manager Nigel Adkins added “We are delighted to bring in Maya to the Club. He is a centre half who is comfortable on both the right and left-hand side as he is good with both feet and has a good physical presence about himself. We are really looking forward to working with him here at Southampton.”
Yoshida becomes the second Japan international at St. Mary’s, joining forward Tadanari Lee.
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