Maya Yoshida says he was never looking to leave Southampton when he was struggling for first team action.
The 25-year old Japanese centre-back has been back in the Saints line-up since replacing the injured Dejan Lovren in the middle of last month and insists he is loving life on the south coast of England.
"It is very good to be back in the team and I am happy to be playing again. There is a very good competition for defenders and centre-backs so I need to keep applying myself," he told the Daily Star.
"When I wasn't playing, the team was playing very well so I couldn't be disappointed but I tried to be professional and wait for my chance.
"I did not think about leaving. My dream is to play in the Premier League and have success here. Why would I play half a season then go to another club or another country. That's crazy."
After playing in the past four Premier League matches for the Saints, Yoshida now has his sights set on both European football and the World Cup.
"I'm looking to play in the World Cup. If we have to chance qualify for Europe it would be a big opportunity," he added.
