After his departure from FC Schalke 04, Maya Yoshida has found a new club. The Japanese central defender is moving to the USA.
With the relegation of FC Schalke 04, Maya Yoshida’s time in Gelsenkirchen also ended. The Japanese defender’s contract would only have been extended if the club had managed to stay in the relegation zone. A good two months later, it is clear at which club Yoshida will continue his career.
The 34-year-old is moving to the USA and will play for LA Galaxy in the future. The club from southern California is the record champion of Major League Soccer (MLS) with five victories, but after 23 matchdays of the current season is in second-to-last place in the Western Conference.
“We are excited to welcome Maya to LA Galaxy,” Los Angeles sporting director and head coach Greg Vanney was quoted as saying about the signing. “Maya is a top central defender who brings exceptional experience and leadership to our team. We look forward to integrating him into our group in the future.”
For Yoshida, it will be his first stop outside of Europe since leaving his home country in 2010. The former national team captain spent the longest part of his career with Southampton FC in England. He also played for VVV-Venlo, Sampdoria Genoa and, most recently, Schalke.
Yoshida was a staple in central defense for the Gelsenkirchen side. He played 29 games and, as a deputy, wore the captain’s armband at times. Only in the final phase of the season did he miss a few games due to injury problems.
Now Yoshida is expected to stabilize LA Galaxy’s defense – the worst in the league’s West Group (37 goals conceded). Yoshida signed a contract until the end of next season.
Schalke: The departures and their new clubs
Rodrigo Zalazar (SC Braga), Marius Bülter (TSG Hoffenheim), Mehmet Aydin (Trabzonspor), Nassim Boujellab (Arminia Bielefeld), Moritz Jenz (VfL Wolfsburg), Alex Kral (Union Berlin), Sepp van den Berg (Mainz 05), Eder Balanta (FC Brugge), Michael Frey (Royal Antwerp), Tim Skarke (Union Berlin), Jere Uronen (Charlotte FC), Alexander Schwolow (Union Berlin), Maya Yoshida (LA Galaxy), Timothee Kolodziejczak (unknown)