Southampton complete signing of Juventus midfielder
Mario Lemina of Juventus arrival before the International Champions Cup 2017 match between AS Roma and Juventus at Gillette Stadium on July 30, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Getty Images)
Southampton have signed midfielder Mario Lemina from Juventus.
The 23-year-old Gabon international has put pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Saints.
Juventus confirmed in a statement on their official website the deal was worth 17million euros (£15.6m), which could increase by a further three million euros (£2.77m).
Lemina said on www.southamptonfc.com: "I am really happy to have signed for Southampton. I think that it was the project that attracted me the most and the one my family was really behind."
Lemina started his career in France with Lorient before joining Marseille in 2013.
The midfielder signed initially on loan with Juventus in 2015 and after completing a permanent transfer last summer, went on to help the Bianconeri win the Serie A title as well as reach the Champions League final against Real Madrid.
Southampton vice chairman Les Reed feels Lemina will be a welcome addition to Mauricio Pellegrino's squad.
"Mario is an outstanding talent who has already achieved a great deal in his career, winning a number of titles and gaining experience of playing on some of the biggest stages in world football," Reed said.
"Investing in a player of Mario's quality and buying from a club like Juventus is a significant statement of intent from the club, and this is a purchase that has set another club-record fee.
"Mario still has his best years ahead of him, and we believe that he will not only be an excellent acquisition for us in the immediate future, but that he will also be able to realise even more of his potential here in the years to come.
"In a volatile market with some extraordinary and inexplicable transfers taking place, we are determined to go about our work in a diligent and correct way. This is a player who has won trophies and played in the Champions League final less than three months ago and he has signed for Saints amid a host of suitors.
"Mario will complement what is already an extremely strong group of midfield players in our squad, and we are excited about what he will bring to the group."
