Yukinari Sugawara awaits Cagliari debut amid registration delays

Japanese defender Yukinari Sugawara has yet to make his debut for Serie A club Cagliari following his loan move from Southampton. Due to registration delays and visa processing issues, Sugawara was omitted from the squad for recent matches, including the Coppa Italia fixture against Verona and the Serie A match against Lecce.

Cagliari manager Fabio Piccione expressed high confidence in the 26-year-old, describing him as a “true professional and an experienced leader” who brings essential qualities to the team, including defensive stability and build-up capabilities. Piccione noted that Sugawara’s arrival has even influenced the club culture, stating, “Thanks to him, Japanese is now spoken at Cagliari.”

With registration pending and a squad number yet to be assigned, Sugawara is expected to be available for selection following the upcoming match against Atalanta.