Maya Yoshida

athlete

Maya Yoshida is a professional Japanese footballer known for his versatility and leadership as a central defender. Born on August 24, 1988, in Nagasaki, Japan, Yoshida began his career at Nagoya Grampus before moving to Europe to join the Dutch club VVV-Venlo. He later signed with Southampton in the English Premier League, where he became a key player and earned a reputation for his solid defensive skills and ability to contribute to attacks. After several successful seasons in England, he went on to play for other clubs, including Sampdoria in Italy. Yoshida has also been a vital member of the Japanese national team, representing his country in multiple international tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and the AFC Asian Cup.