Japan defender Maya Yoshida has agreed a new three-year contract at Southampton, the club have announced.
BREAKING: We're pleased to announce that @MayaYoshida3 has extended his contract with #SaintsFC until 2018. pic.twitter.com/baZfe3y4aZ
- Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 2, 2015
Yoshida has been with Southampton since August 2012, making 60 appearances and scoring three goals.
"I am very pleased about that because in my opinion he is the example of how you have to deal with the job as a football player," boss Ronald Koeman told a news conference.
"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 have those kind of players."
Yoshida posted on his 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!!!!"
The 26-year-old, who can play at right-back as well as in the centre, has now joined up with Japan ahead of the Asian Cup in Australia.
Japan are set to play Palestine on Jan. 12 and then have matches against Iraq and Jordan.