Newly promoted Bundesliga outfit Schalke have completed the free transfer of former Sampdoria Genua defender Maya Yoshida, the Royal Blues confirmed in an official statement on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old new arrival penned a one-year deal, including the option to extend for another year, and will stay in Gelsenkirchen until June 2023.

"Maya has everything he needs to play an important role in our squad. He has already proven his qualities as a leader in Italy, England, Japan and the Netherlands. We are convinced that will help us to be successful in the Bundesliga," Schalke's sporting director Rouven Schroder said.

Yoshida played eight years in the English Premier League for Southampton and made overall 156 appearances before he joined Seria A outfit Sampdoria in 2020 where he marked three goals in 58 competitive matches. The 33-year-old defender has been part of Japan's national team since 2010 and earned 119 caps.

"I'm very happy to be able to wear Schalke's jersey, and I am looking forward to getting to know my teammates, the staff and supporters. I was at a game here many years ago when Atsuto Uchida was still defending on the right wing. I have been following the Bundesliga with great interest, and it makes me happy to be part of it," Yoshida told the club's official homepage.

Schalke will start its season with the first round of the German Cup when the Royal Blues take on lower league side Bremer SV on July 30 before kicking off the Bundesliga season with an away match at Cologne on August 7. 

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)