Tell me a bio of Maya Yoshida.

Include key facts about their life, career, achievements, and impact.

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Maya Yoshida is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Serie A club Sampdoria and the Japan national team. Here's a brief bio of his life, career, achievements, and impact:

**Early Life and Career**

Maya Yoshida was born on August 24, 1988, in Nagasaki, Japan. He began playing football at a young age and joined the Nagoya Grampus youth academy in 2001. Yoshida's talent and dedication earned him a spot in the Japan U-20 national team, and he made his professional debut for Nagoya Grampus in 2007.

**Club Career**

Yoshida's impressive performances for Nagoya Grampus caught the attention of European clubs, and he joined VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands in 2010. He spent two seasons with the club before moving to Southampton in the English Premier League in 2012. Yoshida established himself as a regular starter for Southampton, making over 150 appearances for the club before joining Sampdoria in 2020.

**International Career**

Yoshida made his debut for the Japan national team in 2010 and has since become a key player for the team. He has earned over 100 caps for Japan, representing the country in two World Cups (2014 and 2018) and two Asian Cups (2011 and 2015). Yoshida has also served as the team's captain and has been instrumental in Japan's qualification for several major tournaments.

**Achievements and Impact**

Yoshida's achievements include:

* Winning the J.League Cup with Nagoya Grampus in 2009
* Reaching the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup with Japan, where they lost to Belgium
* Helping Japan win the 2011 Asian Cup
* Being named to the J.League Best XI in 2009 and 2010
* Being named to the Premier League Team of the Week on multiple occasions

Yoshida's impact on Japanese football has been significant. He has been a role model for young Japanese players, and his success in Europe has paved the way for other Japanese players to follow in his footsteps. Yoshida's leadership and experience have also been crucial for the Japan national team, and he continues to be an important player for the country.

**Personal Life**

Yoshida is known for his humility and dedication to his craft. He is married to a Japanese woman, and the couple has two children together. Yoshida is also known for his charity work, particularly in his hometown of Nagasaki, where he has supported local football initiatives and disaster relief efforts.

Overall, Maya Yoshida is a highly respected and accomplished footballer who has made a significant impact on the sport in Japan and beyond.
Here's a bio of Maya Yoshida:

**Early Life and Career**

Maya Yoshida (, Yoshida Maya) is a Japanese professional footballer who was born on August 24, 1988, in Nagasaki, Japan. He began playing football at a young age and joined the Nagoya Grampus youth team at the age of 11. Yoshida made his professional debut with Nagoya Grampus in 2007, playing as a defender.

**Club Career**

Yoshida's impressive performances with Nagoya Grampus caught the attention of Dutch club VVV-Venlo, and he moved to the Netherlands in 2010. He played for VVV-Venlo for two seasons, helping the team earn promotion to the Eredivisie. In 2012, Yoshida joined Southampton FC in the English Premier League, where he spent seven seasons and made over 150 appearances. During his time with Southampton, he helped the team reach the League Cup final in 2017.

In 2020, Yoshida joined Sampdoria in the Italian Serie A on a free transfer. He has also had loan spells with the Italian club Cagliari and the Turkish club Schalke 04.

**International Career**

Yoshida made his debut for the Japan national team in 2010 and has since become a key player for the team. He has earned over 100 caps and represented Japan at three FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018, and 2022) and two Asian Cups (2011 and 2019). Yoshida has also captained the team on several occasions.

**Achievements and Impact**

Throughout his career, Yoshida has achieved numerous honors and accolades, including:

* J.League Division 1 runner-up (2007)
* Eredivisie promotion with VVV-Venlo (2010)
* League Cup runner-up with Southampton FC (2017)
* FIFA World Cup quarterfinalist with Japan (2018)

Yoshida's impact on the football world extends beyond his on-field achievements. He has been an inspiration to young Japanese players and has helped to promote the country's football development. His experience playing in different leagues and countries has also made him a sought-after ambassador for Japanese football.

**Personal Life**

Yoshida is married to his wife, Yuka, and has two children. He is known for his humility and dedication to his craft, and has spoken about the importance of his family and his Japanese heritage in shaping his football career.

Overall, Maya Yoshida is a highly respected and accomplished footballer who has made significant contributions to the sport in Japan and around the world.