Southampton announce partnership with EA Sports

Southampton have announced that they have secured a partnership with gaming company EA Sports.

The deal with Electronic Arts includes EA Sports using Saints defender Maya Yoshida on the cover of Japan's version of FIFA 14.

"It's brilliant," Yoshida told the club's official website. "I was really pleased when I heard that I would be on the cover of FIFA 14, and to be featuring alongside Messi is a great honour.

"It's not only nice for me, but also for Southampton Football Club because the game is such a huge platform, so to be among the list of global cover stars means so much to me and the club."

EA Sports is now the club's official football video gaming partner.