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| Manchester City's Romeo Lavia and Luke Mbete at Manchester Airport before departing for Lisbon for their clash against Sporting Lisbon on February 14, 2022 in Manchester, England. |
Southampton have
completed the signing of Romeo Lavia from Manchester
City in a deal that could reach £14m.
Southampton will pay an initial £10m for the rising
Belgian midfielder who has signed a five-year deal, with further add-ons
structured into the deal which also contains a buyback clause in the region of
£40m for City.
Lavia, 18, has become Southampton's fourth summer
signing and the latest player to move to St Mary's from one of the top flight's
elite sides in a bid to kick-start their senior careers with first-team, Premier
League football.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said: 'Romeo is an extremely talented young player at the start of his career who is open-minded and wants to learn and develop his game with us.
'We are very excited to sign him ahead of many other interested clubs. It proves that we have a positive reputation for improving young players, which we have worked hard to build up over the years.
'Romeo is coming from one of the best teams in the world, learning from the best manager and the best players. Now it is up to him to show us why he deserves to play in the Premier League, as we hope to help take his game to the next level.'
Lavia added: 'I'm really delighted to join this club. I think this club has a really good culture with young players, so I'm really happy to be here.
'When I heard of the interest of Southampton I was buzzing because there's an opportunity for young players to develop as much as possible and I'm very excited.'
Tino Livramento was a big beneficiary of the
platform Southampton are able to offer young talent last season following his
permanent move from Chelsea.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has also made the same move
as Lavia from City this summer while Armando Broja got his first taste of
regular Premier League football during a loan spell at Southampton, from
Chelsea, last season.
Lavia, who joined City from Anderlecht in 2020, has
yet to make his Premier League debut, making his two appearances for Pep
Guardiola's side in cup competitions, but his capture is still something of a
coup for Southampton.
The holding midfielder, who has represented Belgium
from under-15 up to under-21 level, is rated as one of Europe's most promising
teenagers.
And the prospect of playing more regular Premier
League football at Southampton has been behind his move.
After Lavia, Southampton are hoping to wrap up the
signing of Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo in the next 48 hours for an initial £6m
fee, with further add-ons to come.
