Friday 2 January 2015 15:04, UK
Southampton defender Maya Yoshida has signed a new contract with the Premier League club that will keep him at St Mary’s until 2018.
Yoshida played in the 2-0 victory over Arsenal on Thursday and signed his new deal prior to leaving for the Asian Cup with Japan, which starts in Australia later this month.
The 26-year-old has been a regular in the team again since late November and helped Saints consolidate their position in the top four.
“Southampton football club is pleased to announce that Maya Yoshida has agreed terms on a new three-year contract,” confirmed the Saints.
“The 26 year-old has been with Southampton since August 2012, making 60 appearances and scoring three goals.
“He has been a regular participant over the busy Christmas period, showing his versatility by playing at right-back as well as in his usual centre-back position.
“Having extended his deal with Southampton, Yoshida has now headed off to help Japan as they look to defend their Asian title.
“The Samurai Blue kick off the tournament in Group D, where they will face Palestine on 12th January, Iraq on 16th January and Jordan on 20th January.”
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman praised the selfless attitude of Yoshida on heaing the deal had been concluded.
Koeman said: "I am very pleased about that because in my opinion he is the example of how you have to deal with the job as a football player.
"He works very seriously, always doing his best, always (putting) the team in front of himself, and can play in different positions, so for the coach it is always nice to have those kind of players."
