Yukinari Sugawara

is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a right-back or right wing-back for club Cagliari, on loan from club Southampton and the Japan national team.

Sugawara began his senior career at Nagoya Grampus. In 2019, he joined AZ on loan before joining the club permanently in 2020. Sugawara moved to English club Southampton in 2024. He spent the 2025–26 season on loan at Werder Bremen. Sugawara has represented his country at youth and full international level.

Club career Nagoya Grampus On 23 February 2018, it was announced that Nagoya Grampus had registered Sugawara as a player. Sugawara made his debut the following day, the opening day of the 2018 season, in a match against Gamba Osaka. At 17 years, 7 months, and 27 days, Sugawara's starting appearance in the J1 League opening match was the second youngest record in history (the youngest being Junichi Inamoto at 17 years and 6 months). On 6 April 2018, Sugawara signed his first professional contract with Nagoya Grampus, the youngest in the club's history to sign a professional deal, at 17 years and 10 months.

Loan to AZ Sugawara joined Eredivisie club AZ on 21 June 2019 on a season-long loan. He made his first-team debut on 25 July, as a 59th-minute substitute during AZ's 0–0 home draw against BK Häcken in the second qualifying round of the Europa League. At AZ he was mainly utilised as a right back, where he competed with the older Jonas Svensson, and was set to become his future successor. Both in the league and group stage of the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League, Sugawara was a regular rotational player during the season, while also making some appearances for the reserve team of Jong AZ in the second-tier Eerste Divisie. During this season he played 16 league games in which he scored two goals.

AZ On 23 February 2020, it was announced that Sugawara would sign a five-year contract to join AZ permanently from 1 June 2020. He was awarded by the Eredivisie in January 2022 and August 2023.

In October 2023, he became the record-holder for the highest number of European appearances for AZ, reaching his 47th game in European competitions during a match against Aston Villa.

Southampton On 14 July 2024, Sugawara signed for Premier League club Southampton on a four-year contract. He became the fourth Japanese in history to sign with the club, after Tadanari Lee, Maya Yoshida and Takumi Minamino. On 17 August 2024, Sugawara made his debut for the club in a 1–0 away defeat against Newcastle United. He scored his first goal for the club on 31 August 2024 in a 3–1 away defeat against Brentford.

Werder Bremen (loan) On 26 August 2025, Sugawara joined Werder Bremen on a season-long loan. The contract includes an option to buy Sugawara at the end of the season. He made his debut for the club on 30 August in a 3–3 draw with Bayer Leverkusen. On 9 May 2026, Sugawara was shown a red card for a foul on Bazoumana Touré after a VAR review by referee Sören Storks.

Cagliari (loan) On 1 September 2026, Sugawara joined Cagliari on a season-long loan.

International career Sugawara represented Japan at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He made his debut with the senior Japan national team in a friendly 0–0 tie with Cameroon on 9 October 2020. In March 2023, Sugawara made his first start for Japan against Uruguay. In September of the same year, he provided the assist for the first goal against Germany and was also the starting point for the second goal.

On 15 May 2026, Sugawara was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Career statistics Club 2018 J1 League

2019 J1 League

Premier League

2025–26 Championship

2026–27 Championship

Werder Bremen (loan) 2025–26 Bundesliga

Cagliari (loan) 2026–27 Serie A

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International

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Sugawara goal. Eredivisie Team of the Month: January 2022, August 2023, September 2023, October 2023 Eredivisie Team of the Calendar Year: 2023 Awards Best XI: 2024

Records Most appearances for AZ in UEFA club competitions