Maya Yoshida is delighted with his new contract at Southampton.

Having just penned a new three year contract at St Mary's, the 29-year-old centre-back is ready to continue fighting for his place in the team.

“I have no reason to leave the club," said Yoshida. “I have been here for better or for worse in the last five years and still I have to fight for my position because two days before I signed my new contract they got another centre back.

“At this level in the Premier League everywhere you have the competition between the players, especially between Southampton centre-backs competition is very high.

“But the competition makes us very strong. I have learned the last couple of years so I really welcome this kind of competitiveness between the players.

“I want to show my ability and character to the fans, the club and the manager."