3rd of September 2012: http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/maya-chung-sold-me-southampton-349580.aspx "Maya Yoshida admits that some friendly advice from international teammate Tadanari Lee helped him decide to join Southampton. I asked Tadanari about the team, the city and the people here so I have a good feeling about this move. He said I should come here." Maya Yoshida The newly-signed defender will become the second Japanese player in the Saints squad when he returns from his involvement in the Samurai Blue's upcoming games against the UAE and Iraq. 24-year-old Yoshida looked around St Mary's last week week and had the opportunity to speak with forward Lee, who he played alongside as Japan won the 2011 Asia Cup. Yoshida told saintsfc.co.uk before his departure for international duty: "I am a friend of Chunson (Lee), who I know from the national team. "I asked him about the team, the city and the people here so I have a good feeling about this move. "He said I should come here because it is a great team, and the club is bigger than my former team so it would be a great step for me. "To come to the Premier League was one of my biggest dreams since I was a child," continued Maya, who captained his country as they reached the last four of the London 2012 Olympics. "I am very grateful to be able to become a Saint, and I will do my best for the team and for the supporters. "I canât wait to see the stadium full of fans â I have seen the stadium when it is empty and it is already very impressive, but I think that when it is full it will be something special. "I saw a video of the recent history of Southampton since the takeover which showed me the great supporters when the club was promoted last season. "That (the video) was amazing, so I hope that they keep supporting us like last year. "I want to show them what I can do as soon as possible and hopefully impress them with my performances." Yoshida, who scored the 2011-12 Eredivisie Goal of the Year with a stunning bicycle kick, also credited the aspirations of the Club's Executive Chairman Nicola Cortese in convincing him to commit his future to Saints. "I spoke to the Chairman and he was very ambitious - that it really excited me," he said. "He told me that at this club we win together, we lose together and we stay together through everything. "He doesnât just want to be in the Premier League â he wants to go higher, and some of the things he has planned are great." First Team Manager Nigel Adkins was present as Maya and Chung met at the stadium last week, and what he saw left him hopeful that his new signing can adapt to English life as well Lee has. "I have seen them both chatting to each other with smiles on their faces, so the fact that they know each other is beneficial," enthused the gaffer. "Chung settled in ever-so-well here, and Maya speaks excellent English so I know he will settle in just as quickly. "Chungâs English is coming on great and he is taking lessons every day, which is great testament to the hardworking nature of the Japanese people as a nation. "The way Chung has adhered himself here is great so we are very excited that Maya will be joining him in the squad. "He is going to be a real leader for us," continued Adkins. "To captain your nation at the Olympics is a great responsibility and, having met him I can tell that he is a mature young man so we are really looking forward to working with him here at Southampton."
Loving this boy already. Think his time in the Netherlands will be vital as he might find the style similar over here.
"I spoke to the Chairman and he was very ambitious - that it really excited me," he said. "He told me that at this club we win together, we lose together and we stay together through everything." Good to hear words like this from NC if anyone needed reinforcement that he isn't as hot headed and ruthless as the media make him out to be
Thanks for that, I have been on the OS trying to read the story, for some reason it won't let me read the story, when I click on to it it just goes back to the headlines, very frustrating, I detest the new OS more than ever.
It must be good. It had Mayuka thinking that we are one of the top teams in England! It's probably similar to the DVD that came with seasons tickets, biggest ever crowd from a single team at Wembley for the JPT win, promotion pitch invasions x2 etc.
This DVD from what all the players are syaing sound an extended version of the one we all got with our season tickets. How the club were, how we have progressed after takeover. Where we want to be. All that is missing from ours is Cortese standing over us whispering in ear.... 'Premiership Title, Champions League, The World, Domination' I ahave just seen post above. oops!
Thanks for putting this up DTGW. So much easier to read on the iPhone on here rather than the OS. I like the sound of Maya(naise) so far. To captain your nation at the Olympics is pretty special. And from what I've seen on YouTube (I know, I know) he looks excellent. Can't wait for him to get back to the Uk and start training with the lads.
I was just about to copy that same line, but add.... .... unless you are a NegHead supporter who wants to bail on the team after three or four games.
