Japanese international defender Maya Yoshida has traded the Premier League for Serie A in the recently closed transfer window, heading to Italian side Sampdoria on a loan deal for the remainder of the current European domestic season.
Yoshida has been a regular and a fan favorite at Southampton for a number of years. However, now aged 31, the defender has faced firm competition from the likes of Jan Bednarek and Jannik Vestergaard for a starting center-back spot.
Having made just eight of a possible 25 appearances for the Saints so far this season, the defender has seen it fit to move out on loan to get regular game time. This move comes after eight seasons and 190 total appearances for the club.
Yoshida is also the current captain of the Japanese national team, having earned 100 caps for the Samurai Blues.