Yukinari Sugawara Joins Cagliari on Loan

Update (1 September 2026): Southampton and Cagliari have confirmed Yukinari Sugawara’s loan move for the remainder of the 2026/27 season. Cagliari’s announcement says the agreement includes an option to buy, but no fee has been published by the clubs. This entry now records a confirmed transfer outcome.

Yukinari Sugawara has left Southampton for a second successive season-long loan, this time joining Serie A side Cagliari.

What Happened at Bremen

Sugawara spent 2025/26 on loan at Werder Bremen and made 31 Bundesliga appearances. Bremen chose not to make the move permanent, leaving Southampton to find another solution for the Japan international.

Back at St Mary’s, But For How Long?

Sugawara returned to Southampton after the Bremen loan, but was not included in any of Saints’ first five matchday squads this season. James Bree was the established first-choice option, while Mads Roerslev provided further competition at right-back.

Cagliari Move Confirmed

Southampton and Cagliari have now confirmed the move. Sugawara joins for the remainder of the 2026/27 season, with Cagliari also holding an option to buy. Because the clubs have not published the option fee, this page does not carry the earlier reported figure.

The Market Value Problem

Southampton paid around €7m to sign Sugawara from AZ in 2024. The option gives Cagliari a route to a permanent deal if the season goes well, while giving Southampton a practical route to resolve a right-back situation in which the Japan international had fallen down the pecking order.

Reliability note: Tier 1 - Confirmed - The loan and option to buy have been confirmed by Southampton and Cagliari. The option fee has not been published.