Yukinari Sugawara

Yukinari Sugawara is a Japanese right-back born in Toyokawa on June 28, 2000. He developed at AS Laranja Toyokawa before joining Nagoya Grampus's youth system in 2013, then made his J1 League debut in 2018. In June 2019, Sugawara moved to AZ Alkmaar on loan from Nagoya, gaining experience in the Netherlands and European competition. AZ made the transfer permanent in 2020, and he became an established first-choice right-back during five seasons with the club. His energetic overlapping, crossing and ability to support build-up also allowed him to operate as a wing-back or right midfielder. Sugawara joined Southampton in July 2024, continuing his career in English football. At international level, he represented Japan at the 2017 Under-17 and 2019 Under-20 World Cups before making his senior debut against Cameroon in 2020.