Werder Bremen has loaned Yukinari Sugawara from FC Southampton for one year with an option to buy. Sugawara chose to join Werder Bremen as he did not want to play in the second English league after Southampton's relegation from the Premier League. The transfer was confirmed by Werder's head of professional football, Peter Niemeyer, and coach Horst Steffen expressed excitement about Sugawara's qualities and positive mentality.

Japanese defender Yukinari Sugawara is in Bremen for the obligatory medical check. The 25-year-old is transferring from Premier League relegated club FC Southampton. The transfer is a loan deal, and according to Sky, it includes a purchase option. All parties have agreed to the transfer. Sugawara, whose contract with Southampton runs until 2028, has a current market value of €11 million, according to Transfermarkt.