Southampton Defender Sugawara Hints at Possible Werder Bremen Stay – With a Light-hearted Family Story
Southampton defender Yukinari Sugawara has suggested that he would be open to making his current loan spell at Werder Bremen permanent, and interestingly, the happiness of his family appears to be playing a major role in his thinking.
According to reports from German outlet BILD Hamburg, the 25-year-old recently spoke about his experience at the Bundesliga club. During the interview, he shared a humorous story about his family life in Germany—particularly his young daughter’s strong dislike for his beard.
From Backup Option to Key Player
Sugawara joined Werder Bremen on loan from Southampton last summer. Initially, the move was seen as a temporary solution to provide defensive depth while the German club dealt with several injuries in their back line.
However, the Japanese international has since exceeded expectations. Rather than simply acting as a squad player, he has established himself as a dependable and regular starter.
So far this season, Sugawara has featured in 23 Bundesliga matches, accumulating 1,935 minutes of playing time. His contributions have gone beyond defensive duties, as he has also provided four assists, created multiple scoring opportunities for teammates, and helped the team secure five clean sheets.
Because of these performances, BILD describes him as the most reliable of the seven players currently on loan at Werder Bremen.
Bremen Considering Permanent Deal
Sugawara’s loan agreement reportedly includes a purchase option worth around €6 million. Reports from Germany indicate that Werder Bremen are interested in activating that clause to sign him permanently.
Despite the club’s interest, Sugawara himself has admitted that he sometimes worries whether Bremen will actually be able to afford the transfer fee required to secure his services.
Feeling at Home in Germany
Away from the pitch, the defender has settled comfortably into life in Bremen. The report notes that Sugawara “feels at home” in the city, and his family has adapted well too.
Still, there is one amusing issue at home—his daughter’s dislike of his facial hair.
Sugawara explained that she has repeatedly told him over the past few years that she prefers him without a beard.
He joked that although he recently shaved because of her request, the beard grows back quickly.
> “My daughter hates my beard. She’s told me that several times over the last couple of years,” Sugawara said.
“That’s why I shaved it recently. But my beard grows very quickly. After two or three days, it’s back again.”
He added that shaving frequently is not something he enjoys doing, because it takes time and effort.
> “When I shaved the other day, my daughter almost started crying and said, ‘Daddy, I love you so much without a beard.’”
Despite his reluctance, Sugawara admitted that he might shave again simply to make his daughter happy.
> “Maybe I’ll shave again on Thursday—not for the game, but for my daughter. She’s number one in the house, she’s in charge.”
He humorously pointed out that the grooming process is quite time-consuming.
> “It takes about ten to fifteen minutes just to shave, and I have to stand in front of the mirror the whole time. After that I moisturize my skin. Altogether that’s about 30 minutes. Doing that three or four times a week isn’t something I really want to do—I’m a bit lazy. But for my daughter, I would do it.”
Southampton’s Season Could Decide His Future
While Sugawara appears happy in Germany, his long-term future will likely depend on what happens with Southampton this season.
If the English club fails to secure promotion back to the Premier League, they may be more willing to accept Werder Bremen’s offer—possibly even for a fee lower than the agreed €6 million option.
However, Southampton are currently just three points outside the Championship playoff positions, meaning their chances of returning to the top flight remain very realistic.
If they do achieve promotion, the club may decide to reassess Sugawara’s situation at the end of the season before allowing any permanent move.
For now, the defender continues to focus on his performances in Germany—while also occasionally considering whether it might be time to shave his beard again to keep his daughter happy.
