Gelsenkirchen, Germany, July 6 (BUS): After losing a Japanese player, Schalke signed another player.
The Bundesliga club, promoted to the Bundesliga, signed Japan captain Maya Yoshida on Tuesday to bolster its defense and survival chances next season, the Associated Press reported.
Schalke said in a statement that Yoshida, 33, had signed a one-year contract with an option for another season.
“Maya is the leader who will organize our game from the back. He can play as a left or right central defender and his calm style of play will give us stability,” Schalke coach Frank Kramer said.
Yoshida’s arrival softens the blow of seeing Japanese defensive midfielder Ko Itakura join rivals Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday. Itakura was fantastic for Schalke last season as he helped the team return to the Bundesliga after one season in the second division.
But Schalke lacked the financial capacity to make Itakura’s loan move from Manchester City permanent, and Gladbach are said to have paid around €5 million ($5.2 million) for his move.
Yoshida played last season for Italian club Sampdoria. He previously played for Southampton from 2012-20 in the Premier League. He also played with VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands and Nagoya Grampus in Japan.
Schalke sporting director Rauven Schroeder said: “Maya’s footballing, physical and mental qualities will enable him to play an important role in our team.” “He has shown that he is a real leader during his time in Italy, England, Japan and the Netherlands. We are confident that he will help us stay in the Bundesliga.”
Yoshida has made 119 appearances for Japan since his international debut in 2010.