Southampton‘s Yukinari Sugawara says he’s enjoying life in Italy, after leaving the Championship side temporarily to join Cagliari on loan.
In July 2024, the Japan international left AZ Alkmaar for Southampton, who were then in the Premier League.
He made 32 appearances for the Saints and 30 were in the league. The English club dropped out of the top flight in 2025 while the right-back left them for Werder Bremen on loan last summer.
The move clearly worked out as the 26-year-old enjoyed life in Germany. Since joining them, he missed only two matches and finished with six assists from 31 league matches.
Southampton man only Japanese in Serie A
Werder Bremen secured a purchase option of reportedly around €6m. Earlier this year, the player had hinted he would like to join them permanently, however, that didn’t work out.
Yukinari Sugawara returned to St. Mary’s and wasn’t part of Tonda Eckert’s core plans this season. Therefore, on deadline day, Southampton allowed him to join the Serie A side on loan with an option to buy.
The fullback, who didn’t feature for the Championship side this season, has played two matches for Cagliari.
He’s currently the only Japanese player in Serie A as Zion Suzuki left Parma for Aston Villa in August.
| Every Southampton signing 26/27 | Previous Club | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis Dobbi | Aston Villa | €10.50m |
| Daniel Peretz | Bayern Munich | €8.00m |
| Keven Schlotterbeck | FC Augsburg | €3.85m |
| Cyle Larin | RCD Mallorca | €3.00m |
| James Ward-Prowse | West Ham United | €1.10m |
| George Long | Norwich City | Free |
| Divin Mubama | Manchester City | Loan |
| Zach Abbott | Nottingham Forest | Loan |
Wants to be team player
Yukinari Sugawara completed the loan move just hours before the window closed, according to Sardiniapost.it.
He moved to the Serie A after spells in the Netherlands, England and Germany.
“My world has become bigger. I’m really happy to be here. Every day I can see the sun, the weather is often good, and then my teammates, the team staff, the fans, everyone is very polite, positive, and kind to me,” he said.
The Southampton owned player can also operate as a right wing-back and likes to go forward.
“As the coach said, I’m a player with attacking qualities, but not only that,” Sugawara explained.
“I think I’m confident with the ball and in build-up play. I can play inside or out wide, but the position itself doesn’t matter, and I really enjoy contributing to the attack. It’s one of my strengths, but beyond that, what matters to me is helping the team with my skills, like crossing and finishing.”
“And I really enjoy fighting for the team and I always want to win the match, the duels that are crucial in a game. I think my ideal position is right back because it’s a position that allows me to participate in both the attacking and defensive phases. I enjoy being involved in the game and I like running a lot, available to the group.”
Cagliari have a purchase option and it’s probably too early to judge whether he will join them permanently.
Sugawara’s contract at Southampton lasts until 2028.
