Southampton centre-half Maya Yoshida has long been a fan favourite at St Mary’s Stadium given his efforts and the quiet way that he goes about his job.
The 30-year-old joined back for a snip £2.5million fee from VVV Venlo back in the August 2012 transfer window and the Japanese international has gone on to rack up well over 100 appearances for us since then. Despite not yet featuring in the 2019/20 campaign, he more than contributed again last season with 24 appearances across all competitions and he’s become the latest player (one of a very small number) to pledge 1% of his salary at the club to the Saints Foundation.
Just when you thought you couldn’t love @MayaYoshida3 anymore 😍
An incredible gesture from the #SaintsFC defender to @SFC_Foundation! https://t.co/qKHh3Q5Uwx— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 14, 2019
The player told the Daily Echo that having been invited to join Juan Mata’s Common Goal campaign, he couldn’t pass up the chance to work with the Foundation having seen the work that they do.
“It was from my dad helping the people a lot. There was one time when I had so many comics on my desk and then one day they were gone. I asked him where they went, and he said, ‘to charity’. He was a man like this and that has inspired me a lot because once I get enough of something, I want to do the same as he did. I had been thinking about donating for a long time and then Mata asked me to join his Common Goal initiative. That made me think about what I can do for Southampton and then I was invited to the Saints Foundation’s dinner and I saw the work they have done. It was amazing, and they are the ones who I want to work with. I spoke with Greg Baker and said I wanted to join.”
Saints colleague Oriol Romeu is already part of Mata’s campaign, becomes the first to support a club related cause in this way and let’s face it, whilst neither will miss the 1%, it’s a classy decision to take part as it will make a massive difference to others.
What a guy! ????????⚪
— ••: Ash :•• (@THE_SA1NTS) August 14, 2019
He’s incredible ????????
— Lee Payne (@lpp28) August 14, 2019
What a ledge let’s hope a few follow him
— Jaypeg89 (@Jaypeg1989) August 14, 2019
The word “legend” gets said far too easily in life and in the football world. But Maya is a total legend without a doubt! ????????????????????????
— The Jumps King (@TodaysTopTips) August 14, 2019
Maya Yoshida is a true gent. This is on top of all the other work he does for charity and the foundation. Proud to have him at our club.
— Will Green (@Will_DP_Green) August 15, 2019
Bloody play him then.????
— Keith Mcinnes (@mcinnes003) August 14, 2019
What a man ???? statue incoming
— Dan Hudson ???????????????????????????? (@sainthudson) August 14, 2019
Gentlemen more professionals could follow his kindness…..
— Saint Finlay ???? (@StFinlay77) August 14, 2019
Club legend, this just solidifies that
— Cameran ⚽???????? (@camtotheyams) August 14, 2019
Amazing gesture Maya it will make a huge difference thank you ????????
— Phil Gosney (@philipg1965) August 14, 2019
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