Nagoya's 21-year old defender Maya Yoshida will be joining VVV Venlo in the new year, on a 2 1/2 year contract. Having just been called up to the Japan national squad, I am little surprised that this move went ahead. Yoshida's slim chances of making the Japan squad for South Africa have probably disappeared altogether. However, if he can settle in at VVV and adapt to the more physical game in Europe, then it will be good news for Japan in the future.
Announcement of Maya's tranfer (Japanese)
(This announcement would have been made after the Emperor's Cup, but Yoshida foolishly allowed himself to be photographed at a farewell party and this appeared on somebody's blog, forcing the club into the rather hurried announcement.)
After the release of Milos Bajalica earlier in the week, this leaves us one central defender lighter than we were this season. Tulio and Masukawa had better be fighting fit come 6 March. :-)
Announcement of Bajalica's release (Dec 26) (Japanese)
Other Coverage
Japan Times: Nagoya's Yoshida seals Venlo move
Goal: Japan Defender Maya Yoshida Leaves Nagoya Grampus For VVV Venlo
ChuSpo: 吉田ＶＶＶ移籍決断
Nagoya Grampus blog with news and views about Nagoya Grampus (Eight) and Japanese football. (Archives of previous musings on all things Grampus can be found in the original Grampalog. See the Links section below.)
League Champions: 2010. Emperor's Cup Winners: 1995, 1999.
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