Sentimentality may seldom show itself in football, such is the cut-throat nature of the Premier League, but Southampton’s farewell to Maya Yoshida seemed particularly abrupt.
Just before four o’clock on Friday, emerging claims from Italy suggested that the stalwart was poised to seal a late switch to Serie A.
Twitter: La @sampdoria prende a sorpresa #Yoshida dal @SouthamptonFC (@DiMarzio)
Less than five hours later, Southampton were waving goodbye to one of their previously longest-serving players to date with a compilation of his best moments in a red and white shirt.
Twitter: A Saint forever
From all of us at #SaintsFC, thank you for an incredible seven-and-a-half years, @MayaYoshida3!… https://t.co/X6vdR1gQBb (@SouthamptonFC)
The Japan captain completed a loan move to Sampdoria on Deadline Day, which will see him through until the end of his existing contract at St Mary’s Stadium.
Yoshida has likely played his last game for Saints. For many, some time ago, the day couldn’t come quickly enough. But after nearly eight years of dedication, commitment and professionalism, it’s safe to say that he departs with the respect of many, with plenty of well wishes flooding in as a response to the confirmation of his exit.
The 31-year-old was scarcely perfect on the pitch. After a shaky start to life in England following his transfer in 2012, though, Yoshida embedded himself into the culture of Southampton and was trusted as a steady first-team head by some heralded managers during his time on the South Coast.
Yoshida hit form at apt moments; he stepped up to the mark in Saints’ journey to the EFL Cup final in 2017 and provided them with a dependable option in the murkier times of late.
However, what perennially followed him throughout his tenure at St Mary’s were counter-arguments. Yoshida might have been playing well, but he always ‘had a mistake in him’.
Following his debut season on English soil, the most appearances the defender made in a Premier League campaign was in 2017/18 (24), as he drifted in and out of the cataclysmic failure overseen by Mauricio Pellegrino, then subsequently rescued by Mark Hughes.
But what made Yoshida special for Southampton was not necessarily his on-field exploits. His attitude was exemplary in each of his 194 appearances, and, of course, his commitment to the cause was unwavering.
Instead, though, he should be remembered for the genuine support and compassion he showed towards the community, as well as his performances in a Saints shirt.
It can be argued that it is straightforward for players to remain faithful to their teams when better proposals do not present themselves, but a lucrative escape route to Saudi Arabia in 2017 was snubbed in favour of remaining at Southampton and fighting for his place.
Selfless, dedicated and passionate about the city, he went a step further than just giving his all for the badge alone. In August last year, Yoshida pledged to donate one per cent of his salary – a five-figure sum, as per Southampton’s official website – to the Saints Foundation, contributing towards investment for the local charity’s projects in primary and secondary schools, as well as the running of its disability programmes.
Yoshida, humble as ever, discussed the kind gesture and was quick to highlight his desire to give back to those who have supported him. He said:
I have been here for seven years now and I have got a lot from the club and from the city. Now it is time for me to give something back to them. I want to work closely with Saints Foundation to do something special for the people in this city.
I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long time. I know they help people that need it in the area. I want to support them as much as I can and Saints Foundation is the best way to do that.
Yoshida was always keen to usher the next generation through at Southampton, too, and used his passion to help those in less fortunate situations associated with the Saints Foundation as a way of showing the young players of the club how to keep their feet on the ground. He continued:
It’s important to show my actions to the younger players and be a good role model for them. I hope this will show them how they should act as a professional footballer.
Yoshida was the embodiment of a model professional at Southampton, and while the future looks bright under the stewardship of Ralph Hasenhuttl, it is a shame that he will not be a part of it.
Either way, Saints fans won’t forget the 31-year-old’s efforts in a hurry. Maya Yoshida will go down as something of a cult hero at St Mary’s; not necessarily for his abilities as a footballer, but because of what he represented.
