Southampton sign Japan's Sugawara from AZ Alkmaar

Southampton have signed Japan defender Yukinari Sugawara from Dutch club AZ Alkmaar.

The 24-year-old has joined for an undisclosed fee reported, external to be in the region of £6m and signed a four-year contract at St Mary's.

Sugawara is Saints boss Russell Martin's seventh signing of the summer and the club's fifth defensive addition.

Martin said he had monitored Sugawara "for a long time" and the player was his "number-one target" at right-back.

"He arrives at a good age with a lot of games already under his belt at a high level, including a wealth of European experience," Martin said.

"He's a talented footballer with a great mentality, and a character we think will be really popular with his team-mates. You can sense his enthusiasm and determination to do well."

Sugawara began his career in the J-League with Nagoya Grampus before moving to AZ in June 2019, initially on loan.

During his five-year stay in the Netherlands he made 198 appearances in all competitions, including a club record 53 games in Europe.

Sugawara made his international debut for Japan in October 2020 and has won 13 caps.

He said the style of football played by Southampton was a key factor in his decision to join the newly-promoted Premier League club.

He added: "Last summer I played against Southampton in the pre-season. I felt Southampton played very good football with the ball. They didn’t play long balls, only short passing, they played smart.

"I felt Southampton is a really good club. When Southampton gave me an offer, I said yes after one second."