Maya Yoshida

is a Japanese football player. He plays for the Japan national team.

Maya Yoshida

Yoshida at the 2018 World Cup
Personal information
Full name	Maya Yoshida
Date of birth	(1988-08-24) August 24, 1988
Place of birth	Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 1+1⁄2 in)
Playing position	Defender
Club information
Current team	Sampdoria
Youth career
2004–2006	Nagoya Grampus Eight
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2007–2009	Nagoya Grampus	71	(5)
2010–2012	VVV-Venlo	54	(5)
2012–2019	Southampton	154	(6)
2020–2022	Sampdoria	72	(3)
2020–2022	FC Schalke 04	72	(3)
National team‡
2008–2012	Japan U-23	7	(1)
2010–	Japan	104	(11)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of end of the 2019/20 season ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of December 31, 2020

Biography

Yoshida was born in Nagasaki on August 24, 1988. He joined J1 League club Nagoya Grampus Eight (later Nagoya Grampus) from their youth team in 2007. he played many matches as center back from first season. The club won the 2nd place in the 2009 Emperor's Cup. In January 2010, he moved to Dutch Eredivisie club VVV-Venlo. He played many matches from the 2010/11 season. In summer 2012, he moved to English Premier League club Southampton. He played 154 matches for the club in 8 seasons. In January 2020, he moved to Italian Serie A club Sampdoria.

In 2008, Yoshida was selected the Japan U-23 national team for 2008 Summer Olympics. In January 2010, he was selected the Japan national team for 2011 Asian Cup qualification. At this qualification, he debuted against Yemen on January 6. He participated 2011 Asian Cup. He played 5 matches and Japan won the champions. After the 2011 Asian Cup, he became a regular player as center back. In 2012, he was selected the Japan U-23 national team as over aged player for 2012 Summer Olympics. He played all 6 matches as captain and Japan won the 4th place. He also played at 2013 Confederations Cup, 2014 World Cup and 2015 Asian Cup. In 2018, he participated 2018 World Cup. He played all 4 matches and Japan qualified to the knockout stage. After the 2018 World Cup, he became a captain as Makoto Hasebe successor. In 2019, he played at 2019 Asian Cup and Japan won the 2nd place.

Statistics

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J. League Cup		Asia		Total
2007	Nagoya Grampus Eight	J1 League	19	0	2	1	3	0	-		24	1
2008	Nagoya Grampus	J1 League	22	1	3	1	4	0	-		29	2
2009			30	4	6	1	1	1	11	2	48	8
Netherlands			League		KNVB Cup		League Cup		Europe		Total
2009/10	VVV-Venlo	Eredivisie	0	0	0	0	-		-		0	0
2010/11			20	0	0	0	-		-		20	0
2011/12			32	5	1	0	-		-		33	5
2012/13			2	0	0	0	-		-		2	0
England			League		FA Cup		Football League Cup		Europe		Total
2012/13	Southampton	Premier League	32	0	1	0	1	0	-		34	0
2013/14			8	1	3	0	3	1	-		14	2
2014/15			22	1	0	0	1	0	-		23	1
2015/16			20	1	1	0	2	1	4	0	27	2
2016/17			23	1	2	1	6	0	6	0	37	2
2017/18			24	2	3	0	1	0	-		28	2
2018/19			17	0	0	0	3	0	-		20	0
2019/20			8	0	1	0	2	0	-		11	0
Italy			League		Coppa Italia		Supercoppa Italiana		Europe		Total
2019/20	Sampdoria	J1 League	14	0	0	0	-		-		14	0
2020/21
Country	Japan		71	5	11	3	8	1	11	2	101	11
	Netherlands		54	5	1	0	-		-		55	5
	England		154	6	11	1	19	2	10	0	194	9
	Italy		14	0	0	0	-		-		14	0
Total			293	16	23	4	27	3	21	2	364	25

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2010	1	0
2011	12	2
2012	9	0
2013	15	0
2014	11	1
2015	13	3
2016	10	3
2017	9	1
2018	9	0
2019	11	1
2020	4	0
Total	104	11

Maya Yoshida Media

• 

  Yoshida pictured during his time at VVV-Venlo at the fan gatherings.

• 

  Yoshida pictured with the young mascots ahead of a friendly match against FC Augsburg in 2017.

• 

  Yoshida and Turkmen player Arslanmyrat Amanow at 2019 Asian Cup.

• 

  Yoshida and Neymar clashing for a ball during an opening match of the 2013 Confederations Cup between Brazil and Japan.

• 

  Yoshida playing for Japan during a match against Belgium in the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup.

• 

  Yoshida booked for handball during a match against Qatar in the AFC Asian Cup final; leading to a penalty converted successfully from the opposition team and resulting Japan losing 3–1.