Southampton have completed the signing of Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu from Chelsea.
The 23 year-old agreed personal terms and passed a medical today as the Saints look to bolster their squad for the coming season. The move is rumoured to be worth around £4million with the 23 year-old signing on a three year deal.
With the extra strain of the Europa League and the exit of Morgan Schneiderlin to Manchester United, Ronald Koeman has been on the look-out for another midfielder despite the signing of Jordy Clasie (and the emergence of Harrison Reed last season).
Romeu struggled since joining Chelsea in 2011 from Barcelona, aside from a short purple-patch under Andre Villas Boas, to lay down a starting spot and has been shipped out to Europe on-loan twice in the last two seasons.
Les Reed, Director of Football Development at Southampton, was pleased to have got his man: “We are extremely happy to be able to bring Oriol to the club on a permanent basis.
“Once again, we are demonstrating our commitment to compete seriously on all fronts this season by continuing to build a squad with depth and quality.
“Oriol is a player we have had on the radar for some time – he was a prominent figure in the Chelsea team of 2011/12, when he made 24 appearances as a 20 year-old.
“Like Ryan Bertrand, we believe we have recruited another Chelsea player with an excellent pedigree but also with lots of potential to develop.
“He is another player who matches the Southampton profile – he is young and hungry, has been developed at a top academy and has already played at the highest level with plenty more to come.
“He will complement the qualities we already have among our squad and provide another level of competition for selection.”
Romeu said on his arrival: “It’s very good to be a part of this club. I was looking for a good club and for something new in my career.
“After spending two years on loan, I needed something permanent and a club with a future – and I think I chose the right one.
“Southampton are doing the right things in the last few years and, once they came to me and asked me to come here, from the first day I was hoping to come.
“Now I just want to keep going and to keep developing as a player, and I’m looking forward to start playing as soon as possible.”
