Japan`s Maya Yoshida signs new Southampton deal

London: Japanese international defender Maya Yoshida has agreed a new three-year deal with Southampton, the English Premier League club announced on Friday.

"Southampton Football Club is pleased to announce that Maya Yoshida has agreed terms on a new three-year contract," read a statement on the club website.

The 26-year-old centre-back previously played for Nagoya Grampus in his homeland and Dutch outfit VVV Venlo before moving to England in 2012.

He was due to be out of contract at the end of this season but will now remain at St Mary`s until 2018.

Yoshida commented on his official Twitter account: "Very glad to see all of you guys on the Twitter and announce that I`ve just signed another 3 years with #saintsfc!!!!"

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman paid tribute to Yoshida`s work ethic.

He said at a press conference: "I am very pleased about that (news) because in my opinion he is the example of how you have to deal with the job as a football player.

"He works very seriously, always doing his best, always (putting) the team in front of himself, and can play in different positions, so for the coach it is always nice to

Yoshida came off the bench in Saints` 2-0 win over Arsenal on New Year`s Day but has now departed for the Asian Cup in Australia, where Japan kick off their campaign against Palestine in Group D in Newcastle on January 12.