Japan captain Maya Yoshida joins Schalke in German top flight

TOKYO: Japan captain Maya Yoshida has joined Schalke on a one-year contract from Italy's Sampdoria, the German first-division club confirmed in a staement on Tuesday. Yoshida, who led the Samurai Blue to 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification earlier this year, has signed for the newly-promoted Bundesliga side after two-and-half seasons in Serie A.

The Japanese international, who has represented his country at the FIFA World Cup on several occasions, is honoured to be moving to Schalke.

"I'm delighted to get the chance to wear the FC Schalke 04 shirt, and I'm looking forward to getting to know my teammates, the coaching staff and the fans. I attended a match at the VELTINS-Arena many years ago, back when Atsuto Uchida was playing right-back, and I've also followed the Bundesliga with great interest for a long time. Therefore, I'm really pleased to finally become a part of it," Yoshida was quoted as saying by official website of Schalke. IANS

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