Career
He began at Nagoya Grampus, joined AZ Alkmaar on loan in 2019 and permanently in 2020, then signed a four-year deal with Southampton on 14 July 2024 — the fourth Japanese player in the club's history after Tadanari Lee, Maya Yoshida and Takumi Minamino (Wikipedia).
Debut was a 1–0 defeat at Newcastle on 17 August 2024; first Saints goal came in a 3–1 loss at Brentford on 31 August. Wikipedia records a 2025–26 loan at Werder Bremen (31 Bundesliga appearances). Bremen did not take up a permanent option; he rejoined Southampton's Germany training camp after the World Cup (Daily Echo, 29 July 2026).
How they play
A right-back or right wing-back, 1.78 m. Football Italia, reporting a possible Cagliari loan on 31 August 2026, credited him with six assists in those 31 Bremen games. ESPN still listed him as Southampton's No.16 on 1 September 2026. Japan used him at the World Cup; the Daily Echo timed his tournament minutes at 145.
Where they are now
English Wikipedia (updated 31 August 2026) and ESPN (1 September) both list Southampton as his club. He had not started a 2026–27 Championship match by ESPN's last-five log, which ran through Japan's World Cup games.
Bio
Club career
- SV Werder Bremen2025–2026
- Southampton F.C.2024
- AZ Alkmaar
- Nagoya Grampus
International career
- Japan men's national football teamSince 2020Current
Honours
No honours on record yet.
Defining moments
Southampton signing2024
Four-year contract from AZ on 14 July 2024 (Wikipedia).
Werder Bremen loan2025
31 Bundesliga appearances in 2025–26; Bremen declined a permanent move (Wikipedia; Daily Echo).
Latest season stats (ESPN)
In our archive
We haven’t archived a match featuring this player yet — appearances appear here the moment we cover one.
Sources
- ESPN athlete profileJul 18, 2026
- WikidataJul 18, 2026
- Player photo — Timmy96CC0
Read for this profile
- Wikipedia — Yukinari Sugawara (Southampton; Werder loan 2025–26)September 1, 2026
- ESPN — Yukinari Sugawara, Southampton defenderSeptember 1, 2026
- Daily Echo — Sugawara reunites with Saints after World Cup (29 Jul 2026)September 1, 2026
Profile written / last reviewed September 1, 2026.
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War of Soccer is not affiliated with FIFA, Southampton, any federation or Yukinari Sugawara. This page compiles publicly available data (ESPN, Wikidata) descriptively, for identification and commentary only — not an endorsement by or of the player.