“I want to excite the fans” | OneFootball

Yukinari Sugawara has joined Werder on loan (Photo: W.DE).

An interview with new signing Yukinari Sugawara

Yukinari Sugawara is the club’s third signing from England this summer, following the arrivals of Max Wöber and Karl Hein. The 25-year-old full-back spoke in an exclusive interview with WERDER.DE about his move from Southampton to Werder, a particular encounter he had with Mio Backhaus in the Netherlands and the Japanese community in the Bundesliga.

WERDER.DE: Moin, Yuki! Welcome to SV Werder. What are your first impressions of the city and the club?

Yukinari Sugawara: First and foremost, Werder Bremen is a big club and has a lot of Bundesliga history. It’s my first time in Germany and I’m very pleased to be here!

WERDER.DE: First time in Germany and first time in the Bundesliga. What do you know about the league?

Yukinari Sugawara: There are a few Japanese players who play here at a very high level and who are good fun to watch. I think the quality of the league is fantastic and will only develop further. I just can’t wait to get started.

WERDER.DE:What makes this Japanese community so special?

Yukinari Sugawara: We all get along with each other very well. I’m really looking forward to coming up against them on the pitch. I did speak to some of them and asked what the Bundesliga was like to play in, and I only heard positive things.

WERDER.DE: You have a teammate who you already know from your time at AZ Alkmaar in Mio Backhaus, having played against him when he was at FC Volendam. Can you remember that game?

Yukinari Sugawara: Yes quite well actually (laughs). I scored twice against him in a 4-0 win. I remember him being a very good young goalkeeper in the Netherlands. He had already shown his quality back then and made life very difficult for us in the first meeting we had that season (3-0 win). I think he’s going to become my favourite teammate.

“One of the reasons why I chose Werder”

Reminiscing on their meetings in the Netherlands: Mio Backhaus and Yuki Sugawara (photo: W.DE).

WERDER.DE:Did you get the chance to speak to him and get some tips before you signed?

Yukinari Sugawara: Absolutely! I spoke to him and he told me lots of things about the city and lifestyle, as well as how we want to play football here. He told me all about the other players and what the coach has planned for us. That’s another one of the reasons why I chose Werder.

WERDER.DE: You played 198 competitive games for Alkmaar and scored 14 goals. How would you describe the way you play at full-back?

Yukinari Sugawara: I’m a very dynamic player – always running and working hard. I like to get down the line and put crosses in or driving into the box myself. I want to excite the fans. I hate losing and always want to win – that’s what I play football for.

WERDER.DE: What expectations do you have about the Bundesliga and Werder?

Yukinari Sugawara: I’m looking forward to this new challenge and I am here to create special moments. I’m sure that we will pull together as a team and give the fans those special moments.