Southampton have, on Friday, confirmed the club’s first signing of the summer transfer window.
The player to have committed to terms at St. Mary’s? Gavin Bazunu.
For those not aware, shot-stopper Bazunu had long emerged as one of the most highly-regarded talents on the books of Premier League champions Manchester City.
With Ederson unlikely to be shifted from his spot as first-choice in Pep Guardiola’s squad, though, it came as little surprise when Bazunu was farmed out on loan this past season.
And to say that the Republic of Ireland international subsequently went on to build ever further on his stellar reputation would be something of an understatement.
A year in League One with Portsmouth saw Bazunu dazzle between the posts, on his way to the honour of Pompey’s Player of the Season award.
🏆 Player of the Season, voted by the fans tonight…
🌟 Gavin Bazunu 🌟 #Pompey pic.twitter.com/OFb4FH1xbm
— Portsmouth FC (@Pompey) May 1, 2022
And, evidently, such endeavours piqued attentions back in the top-flight of English football.
Recent weeks had seen it suggested that interest in the 20-year-old’s services was beginning to mount, with one outfit in particular – the aforementioned Southampton – pushing hard for his signature.
In turn, on Friday, it has not come as a major surprise to see the Saints’ pursuit bear fruit.
As per an official announcement across the club’s website and social media platforms, Bazunu has committed to terms with Southampton through the summer of 2027:
#SaintsFC is delighted to announce the signing of Gavin Bazunu from @ManCity on a five-year deal! 😇
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) June 17, 2022
Speaking on the back of the first summer addition to his squad being made official, Ralph Hasenhuttl had the following to say:
“As a club, we are always on the lookout for young talent and Gavin is a very exciting addition to the squad. We believe he has tremendous potential to improve and will give us great competition for places in the goalkeeping department.
“He is a goalkeeper with a very modern style of play, comfortable in the build-up phase, who has developed physically through some very important loan moves early in his career.
“He is already an international goalkeeper, which is very rare for his age. Coming from Manchester City, we know he has learned from some of the very best coaches and teammates, and coming here gives him more opportunities to develop his game through playing in the Premier League.”
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