Livramento: It was a no-brainer

The highly sought-after teenager has put pen-to-paper on a five-year deal at St Mary's, admitting that manager Ralph Hasenhüttl played a big part in his decision to choose Southampton over other potential suiters.

Chelsea Academy's Player of the Season, the right-sided full-back is the second Blues youngster to make the switch to the south coast this summer, following in the footsteps of Dynel Simeu, with Livramento explaining that he'd already got the scoop about life at the club from his former teammate.

"It feels a bit surreal," he admitted. "[Chelsea] is all I've known since I started playing football. I've been there since the age of seven, going into Cobham week in week out, so moving over here and taking that next step in my career feels a bit nerve-wracking. But I know what's best for me and my development.

"I've been discussing with my dad about what we thought was best for my future. We felt like this was the right time for it to happen and for me to move on [from Chelsea].

"To have interest from a few top clubs, to choose Southampton was sort of a no-brainer, you know. They are a solid Premier League club and the manager was quite a big factor, as to why I wanted to come here and why I wanted to play for Southampton. The passion that he shows and yeah, I can't wait to get started.

"He [Ralph Hasenhüttl] wanted to tell me a lot. About how he wanted me to train and to play, and what he wants me to bring to the team. That was really attractive to me, for me to see him expressing those emotions and showing how he sees me playing as part of a Premier League team. That's a big thing for me, considering I'm still only 18.

"If you look at the squad, it's a very talented group and I'm just happy that I know what I can add to it. I can't wait to compete.

"The club has been notorious for bringing through youth players. It's a healthy environment for a young player like me to grow and learn from all these experienced pros already here."