Published:

Saints secure Perraud signing

Migration/68271059324

Southampton Football Club is delighted to announce it has completed the signing of defender Romain Perraud from Stade Brest.

The 23-year-old French left-back has signed a four-year contract at St Mary’s, becoming the first addition of the summer to manager Ralph Hasenhüttl’s squad.

Perraud, capped eight times at Under-21 level for his country, began his career with Nice before starring in Ligue 2 with Paris FC, earning a move to newly-promoted Brest in 2019, where he made 61 appearances, scoring three goals.

The highly-rated attacking full-back, who was named in the

Ligue 1 team of the season in 2020/21, will join up with his new teammates in time for the start of pre-season training.

Ralph Hasenhüttl said: “This is an important first signing for us. Clearly, left-back is an area in which we were looking to strengthen and we have tracked Romain for a long time because he fits our profile for this position very well.

“He is a high energy, robust guy with good aggression who will bring lots of energy to our play. He has good quality with his delivery from wide and is very competitive with his defending.

“Completing the transfer before the start of pre-season allows him to start training with us immediately, learning our way of playing and tactical behaviours. I think Romain will fit in well with us and we can help him develop his game further and maximise his potential.”

Romain Perraud said: “I’m very happy to be a Saint and I can’t wait to start this adventure.

“I think it’s the best club for me. The manager explained to me the project of the club and for me that’s very important.

“He spoke with me about tactics, of the way to play, and there are similarities in his play to mine. The feeling was very good, so now I’m here and I’m very happy.”