The out of favour player has now left Chelsea permanently
Southampton have completed the signing of Oriol Romeu from Chelsea for a fee of £5 million.
The 23 year old, who plays primarily as a defensive midfielder, has put pen to paper on a three year deal at St.Mary’s.
The Saints are looking to strengthen their central midfield position, with Morgan Schneiderlin having been sold to Manchester United last month.
Jordy Clasie has also been bought in to fill the void left by Schneiderlin, but the Dutchman has been ruled out for the start of the season with a hamstring problem.
In all, Romeu becomes Ronald Koeman‘s seventh summer recruit, including loan players.
Romeu spent the whole of last season on loan at Stuttgart making 27 appearances
This is what the former Spain under-21 international had to say about joining the South Coast side: “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.”
Southampton executive director of football Les Reed added that the player had been “on the radar for some time”.
“Like Ryan Bertrand, we believe we have recruited another Chelsea player with an excellent pedigree but also with lots of potential to develop,” said Reed.
Romeu joined Chelsea in 2011 after progressing through Barcelona‘s world famous La Masia academy, but hasn’t been able to establish himself on the Blues first team.
