DEFENDER Yukinari Sugawara admitted he joined Saints after a conversation with fan favourite Maya Yoshida.
Sugawara spoke with the former Japanese international, who he described as his "legend," before deciding to make the switch to St Mary's.
Both defenders started their career at J. League side Nagoya Grampus before making a move to play in the Netherlands before coming to Southampton.
Yoshida, who now plays for LA Galaxy, spent time training with Russell Martin's Saints last season during the MLS off-season.
In his first interview as a Saints player, Sugawara explained he also spoke to former Saints Takumi Minamino and Jordy Clasie.
READ MORE: Who is Yukinari Sugawara and why have Saints signed him?
He said: “I talked to Maya first. He sent me a text one day, ‘you want to go to Southampton?’ and he said some football things but after that, he just said to me ‘you can live in my house.'
“He called me and I asked about football things, but he just said ‘live in my house.’ Maya is my legend because I grew up in almost the same steps.
"I played for the same club in Japan, and me and him went to the Netherlands, and then to Southampton, so everything the same. I asked him a lot.
“Also I spoke with Taki (Minamino) and (Jordy) Clasie. They only say positive things about Southampton, for example, the people who work for Southampton are just nice people.
“I like to talk with people with a smile. I have good things to come here, so I am very happy to be here and I appreciate them to know good things about Southampton.”
READ MORE: Russell Martin insists Southampton will sign experienced players
He continued: “I speak English just a little bit so I have to learn first, but I want to communicate with teammates more and want to enjoy time in the locker room.
“I usually play as a right-back, but I like to attack. My strong point is to make some difference in attack and in the box, and the last pass – to assist and score – because I am focused on numbers.
"I like to play with the ball. Also defending, I just fight to defend the goal and win the game. I am ready to fight.”
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