Werder Bremen sign Yukinari Sugawara on loan | OneFootball

Sugawara has arrived from the Saints on a loan deal (Photo: WERDER.DE).

SV Werder Bremen have strengthened their defence by signing right-back Yukinari Sugawara on a season-long loan from Southampton. The 25-year-old Japan international completed his medical on Monday and joins the Green-Whites with immediate effect. The agreement with the Championship side also includes a buy option for next summer. The move was confirmed on Tuesday by Peter Niemeyer, head of professional football at SVW.

Sugawara has moved to the Bundesliga for the first time (Photo: WERDER.DE).

“We’re very pleased that Yukinari chose us,” said Niemeyer. “He’s been in Europe for some time and brings experience from both the Premier League and the Eredivisie, where he made almost 200 appearances for AZ Alkmaar. We’re convinced he can help us straight away and are delighted to have him on board.”

Head coach Horst Steffen is also looking forward to working with defender, who has won 15 caps for Japan: “Yukinari has proven his quality at a high level. He’s a quick, combative right-back who can also play in other positions out wide. He had a very positive attitude and mentality in our conversations. I’m convinced he’ll be a great addition to the group.”

The new arrival from Southampton is equally excited about the challenge ahead: “I’m really happy to be here. Werder is a big club, and I can’t wait to play at the stadium in front of the fans.”

Yukinari Sugawara first joined AZ Alkmaar on loan from Japanese club Nagoya Grampus in 2019, before the Dutch side made the move permanent in 2020. He went on to make 198 competitive appearances for AZ, scoring 14 goals. In 2024 he moved to England, making 35 appearances (1 goal) for Southampton.