LA Galaxy reach agreement to sign Japan international Maya Yoshida

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The LA Galaxy have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Japan international Maya Yoshida, who will join the MLS franchise on a free transfer next month.

According to the Athletic, the 34-year-old defender will officially sign for the Galaxy once the MLS summer transfer window ends on August 2nd, with Greg Vanney’s side currently unable to recruit any players from abroad.

Yoshida was released by Bundesliga side Schalke 04 this summer and is widely considered as one of Japan’s best-ever players, with the veteran defender making an incredible 126 international appearances for the Asian giants.

As well as a legend for Japan, Yoshida remains a cult hero at Premier League side Southampton, where the defender wore the captains armband on multiple occasions for the Saints in an eight-year career in England.

Having bounced around the likes of Sampdoria in Italy and more recently Schalke in Germany, Yoshida will now take his talents to LA this summer for the Galaxy, with the defender a much-needed arrival for Vanney and his team.

The Galaxy have one of the worst defensive records in MLS this season, and with the playoffs still potentially on the table, signing an experienced centre-back in Yoshida could prove to be an excellent piece of business for the LA giants.

LA Galaxy signing Yoshida is a good start to summer window

The Galaxy’s transfer ban means that arrivals have been few-and-far between this summer, though the closing of the MLS window and the terminology of the punishment means that free transfers from abroad can be made next month.

And Yoshida is a fantastic starting point for the Galaxy, with the defender one of the best centre-backs to every come out of Asia and a player with experience against some of the best players in the world.

Indeed, the Galaxy’s defensive struggles make Yoshida an obvious signing for the LA giants, and wrapping up a deal so soon for the 34-year-old is a good step in the right direction for the California franchise.