LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- The LA Galaxy said Saturday they have re-signed Japanese defender Maya Yoshida to a two-year contract through the end of the 2026 Major League Soccer season.

The 36-year-old captain's contract expired at the end of the 2024 season after he contributed to Los Angeles' sixth MLS Cup title and first in 10 years.

"We are thrilled to announce that our captain is back," Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz said. "Maya has been an outstanding leader and teammate since his arrival to the club, and he is the embodiment of what it means to be a Galaxy player."

"His character, competitiveness and consistency were the foundation of our MLS Cup winning campaign. We look forward to being a further part of his storied career."

Yoshida captained Japan in his third consecutive World Cup appearance in 2022 in Qatar.

The former Nagoya Grampus man began to play in Europe in 2010, having stints with VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands, Southampton in England, Sampdoria in Italy and Schalke in Germany before his transfer to the Galaxy in August 2023.