Saints are rumoured to be about to sign another Japanese player, this time Maya Yoshida a central defender.

At 6ft 2 and turning 24 on this very day 24th August, Maya Yoshida might just be about to get a big birthday present in the form of a contract at Southampton Football Club.

Currently playing for Dutch Eridivisie side VVV-Venlo, known bewilderingly as "the good old venlose trots" Yoshida looks set to join Saints for a fee of around £2 million.

Starting his career at Grampus 8 in his home country, Yoshida joined Venlo in 2010 after a couple of good solid seasons for Grampus, in his first season at Venlo he made 20 appearances also making his debut for his country in the process, but it would be 2011/12 he would come to prominence playing 32 times at the centre of defence and scoring 5 times, cementing himself not only as a regular for Japan's full side for whom he has now won 17 caps but also playing in this years Olympics for the U23 side scoring a goal in the process.

On the face of it it could be a good capture for Saints, although he doesnt have the Premiership experience he does have over 50 games in the Eridivisie a good grounding for what we face, a versatile player having started his career in midfield, could he prove to be a bargain buy and offer Saints that bit of class they need in the centre of defence.     

Photo: Action Images

StSaint added 12:31 - Aug 24 Sounds like a decent option and someone who must be comfortable on the ball if he used to be a midfielder. I can't wait fhr the transfer window to shut - all of the speculation with players is doing my head in.
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saint22 added 12:47 - Aug 24 This could be a very good acquisition indeed, alongside someone like Dawson even better ;)
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bstokesaint added 13:23 - Aug 24 It is rumoured also that a number of other clubs are interested in him. I think it's going to be another case of not getting too excited until he actually signs. We're constantly getting linked with decent players, but that's where it seems to end for many. That's not a criticism of NA or NC because I know they do try and do things through the correct channels. It's just a little frustrating at the moment. Maybe if we get a couple of decent players in it will get the message out there to others about our intent to sign young promising players for a team of the future, instead of the WHU approach of trying to just buy anyone and praying throwing money at the window will reap rewards.

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landsdownsaint added 14:36 - Aug 24 Will believe it when I see it!
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