【Player Profile #28】Sugawara Yukinari | The 'Kid' Established as Right Back at Bremen, Sakai Hiroki's Successor Heads to the World Cup
A deep dive into the real face of Sugawara Yukinari (25, from Toyokawa, Aichi), who has cemented his place as right back at Werder Bremen. From signing the youngest-ever professional A-contract in Nagoya Grampus history, to AZ, Southampton, and Bremen — a right-side two-way player who has journeyed through three European countries.
Yukinari Sugawara, 25. In August 2025, he joined Werder Bremen on a season-long loan with a purchase option from Southampton. He established himself as a first-choice right back from the moment he arrived, making 29 Bundesliga appearances and cementing his status as a league regular. At Nagoya Grampus he became the club's youngest-ever player to sign a professional A-contract at 17, and after spells at AZ Alkmaar he has now played across three European countries — a true two-way threat on the right side. Identified as the "top candidate for right wing-back" in our predicted 26-man squad, we take stock of the expectations and challenges facing this kid with the WC 2026 finals now just two months away.
menu_book Basic Profile
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 28 June 2000 (25 years old) |
| Birthplace | Toyokawa, Aichi Prefecture |
| Height / Weight | 179 cm / 69 kg |
| Position | DF (Right SB / Right WB / can also play MF) |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Current Club | Werder Bremen (Bundesliga / Germany) — on loan for 2025/26, parent club Southampton |
| Squad Number | Club: 3 / National Team: 2 |
| Japan National Team | Senior debut: 10 October 2020 vs. Cameroon; 20 caps, 2 goals |
arrow_forward Roots
Toyokawa, a key city in the eastern Mikawa region of Aichi Prefecture, has a population of approximately 180,000 and flourished as a temple town centred on Toyokawa Inari, one of Japan's "Three Great Inari Shrines," which attracts over five million worshippers every year. It is also a manufacturing hub, home to bases for Honda, Yamaha Motor, Hitachi, and other major companies.
The city has a strong grassroots football culture, and Sugawara first kicked a ball at local club AS Laranja Toyokawa (2007–2012). He went on to attend Sakuramachi Elementary School and Daida Junior High School before joining Nagoya Grampus U-15. The city of Toyokawa even features him in official municipal PR materials, describing him as "a huge football lover whose motto is 'Give everything and enjoy it!'" — a testament to his community spirit. His performances at the World Cup finals will become a source of immense pride for Toyokawa.
calendar_month Career Timeline by Age
| Age | Period | Club / Key Events |
|---|---|---|
| 7–12 | 2007–2012 | AS Laranja Toyokawa (local youth club) |
| 13–15 | 2013–2015 | Nagoya Grampus U-15 |
| 16–18 | 2016–2018 | Nagoya Grampus U-18 |
| 17 | February 2018 | Category 2 registration. Started the J1 season opener vs. Gamba Osaka (2nd-youngest ever to start a J1 season opener at 17 years and 7 months) |
| 17 | April 2018 | Club's youngest-ever player to sign a professional A-contract (aged 17 years and 10 months) |
| 19 | Summer 2019 – January 2020 | AZ Alkmaar (loan → permanent transfer) |
| 20 | 9 October 2020 | Senior international debut (vs. Cameroon in Hargeveen, Netherlands) |
| 23–24 | 2022-23, 2023-24 | Eredivisie regular at AZ; 30+ appearances and multiple goal contributions per season |
| 24 | July 2024 | Permanent transfer to Southampton FC (4-year contract; Premier League side) |
| 25 | 26 August 2025 | Season-long loan to Werder Bremen (with purchase option) |
local_fire_department 2025/26 Season: Established as First-Choice Right Back at Bremen from Day One
Sugawara made a permanent move to Southampton in the summer of 2024, but the 2024/25 season ended in disappointment as the club were relegated from the Premier League as bottom side. He made 30 appearances (15 starts), contributing 1 goal and 1 assist.
On 26 August 2025, he joined Werder Bremen on a season-long loan with a purchase option. He nailed down the right-back spot immediately, starting each of the club's first four matches of the season. He has been used as a near-ever-present regular throughout the season.
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22-23 | AZ | Eredivisie | 31 | 3 |
| 23-24 | AZ | Eredivisie | 30 | 4 |
| 24-25 | Southampton | Premier League | 30 | 1 |
| 25-26 | Bremen | Bundesliga | 29 | 0 |
sports_soccer International Career — Hiroki Sakai's Successor, and Goals for Japan
Sugawara made his senior international debut on 10 October 2020 against Cameroon. He has since accumulated 20 caps and 2 goals.
From Hajime Moriyasu's second-term opener (March 2023 vs. Uruguay) through to the Germany match, he started five consecutive games at right back. He became Moriyasu's first choice as the heir to Hiroki Sakai.
His first international goal came on 21 November 2023 against Syria (4-0, World Cup 2nd-round qualifier). His second followed on 15 November 2024 against Indonesia (4-0), earning him the Player of the Match award. There were periods from June 2024 onward — after the team's base system shifted to a 3-4-2-1 — when his appearances became less frequent, but his ability to play both right wing-back and right back makes him indispensable to Moriyasu's plans.
star Yukinari Sugawara in a Word — "Speed and Drive" Meets "Two-Way Threat on the Right"
Two keywords are essential to understanding Sugawara.
| Keyword | How It Shows in His Play |
|---|---|
| Speed and Drive | Acceleration rated at 84 sprint; overlapping runs from deep to burst past midfielders and drive down the right flank; quality over medium and long sprints |
| Two-Way Threat on the Right | High-level versatility as a right WB in a back three or right SB in a back four; crossing accuracy that produced multiple goal contributions in CL/EL during his time at AZ |
The significance of combining both qualities is clear — a right back who can decide games with his feet. In competition with Junya Ito and Shinya Maekuma for the right side, his unique blend of pace and right-foot technique sets him apart.
favorite Expectations at WC 2026 — The Key to Japan Breaking Out of Group F
Japan are in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia. Sugawara is expected to serve as the main option on the right side, either used alternately with Junya Ito or deployed in a hybrid role.
| Opponent | Left-Side Characteristics | Role Expected of Sugawara |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Explosive attacking wingers such as Gakpo and Frimpong | Match their pace; threaten with right-foot crosses |
| Sweden | Physically imposing, tall wingers | Deliver crosses and early balls to link up with Ayase Ueda and others; create set-piece opportunities |
| Tunisia | Organised defensive block combined with individual quality | Create space with diagonal runs; be the focal point for breaking down a resolute defence |
live_tv Social Media & Media Presence
Sugawara's approach to social media is understated but sincere. His Instagram @yukinarisugawara open_in_new has approximately 137,000 followers and is updated mainly with match photos and training scenes from his time at Bremen. He also remains active on X at @yukinari0628 open_in_new.
His media persona is characterised by calm, analytical self-reflection. National team feature videos on YouTube — covering topics such as "the difference between a full-back and a wing-back," "his close friend Takefusa Kubo," and "dealing with long balls" — convey the high level of tactical intelligence behind his game.
info The Challenge Ahead: "Goal Involvement for Club and Country"
Goal involvement for club and country — this is the central challenge Sugawara must address. Compared to his days at AZ (4+ goals in a season), his output has declined: 1 goal and 1 assist at Southampton, and 0 goals at Bremen. To differentiate himself in the battle with Junya Ito and Shinya Maekuma for the right-side berth, he will need to make a difference with his final cross and his shooting.
The question of his registration is also impossible to ignore. Whether Bremen exercise their purchase option (reportedly upwards of 1 billion yen) or he returns to Southampton after the season means his club situation next summer remains uncertain. The Kirin Challenge Cup against Iceland on 31 May, and then the pre-tournament training camp, represent his final mission: to once again convince manager Moriyasu that he is indispensable on the right side.