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The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has signed Japanese National Team defender Maya Yoshida to a one-and-a-half-year contract through the end of the 2024 MLS Regular pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P1 Visa.
34 year old Maya Yoshida joins LA Galaxy having made over 450 professional appearances in the top leagues of England, Germany, Italy, Japan and Netherlands since making his professional debut in 2007 with J1 League side Nagoya Grampus. In 126 career appearances (120 starts) for the Japan Men’s National Team, Yoshida has recorded 12 goals and two assists and helped his country win the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. Notably, Yoshida has played in three FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018, 2022) and captained Japan to the Round of 16 of the 2022 edition of the FIFA World Cup.
“We are pleased to welcome Maya to the LA Galaxy,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach and Sporting Director Greg Vanney. “Maya is a top center back who brings exceptional experience and leadership qualities to our team. We look forward to integrating him into our group moving forward.”
The Nagasaki, Japan, native most recently made 29 appearances (28 starts) for FC Schalke 04 during the 2022/23 Bundesliga campaign. Yoshida began his career with J1 League side Nagoy Grampus (2007-10), where he tallied 11 goals and three assists in 101 matches played across all competitions. Yoshida then joined Dutch side VVV-Venlo (2010-13) where he logged five goals and two assists in 63 appearances (60 starts) across all competitions.
After his stint with Venlo, Yoshida joined Southampton FC, where he recorded nine goals and four assists in 194 appearances (172 starts) across all competitions for the English side. Yoshida tallied six goals and four assists for Southampton in 154 career appearances (135 starts) in the Premier League (2012-20).
Yoshida joined UC Sampdoria on loan from Southampton for the 2019-20 Serie A campaign, recording one assist in 14 appearances (13 starts). In three seasons with Sampdoria (2020-22), Yoshida tallied three goals and six assists in 74 matches played (58 starts) across all competitions.
