Southampton have strengthened their defence on transfer deadline day with a £11.5m move for Virgil van Dijk from Scottish champions Celtic. The 24-year-old defender has signed a five-year contract with the Saints. He had joined Celtic in 2013 from Groningen and managed to win two consecutive league titles and the Scottish Cup.
"Moving to the Premier League is the right time for my development," the player said. "Southampton is the perfect step for me right now. I want to play as much as possible, get settled in quick and show everyone what I'm capable of and do well with the team." The Dutch defender was disappointed after Celtic were knocked out by Malmo in the Champions League play-offs and wanted to make a step towards a bigger stage. Van Dijk has made 76 appearances for Celtic, scoring 9 goals.
The Saints have also agreed to sell forward Emmanuel Mayuka, aged 24, to French outfit Metz. The player has signed a three-year contract. Mayuka, the top scorer at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia, joined Southampton in the summer of that year but only managed 19 appearances and one goal. Last season he was on loan at another French side, Lorient.
Southampton are 5.50 at Bet365 to clinch a top-six Premier League finish this season.
GREGJO
8 years ago
Southampton have a good eye on the transfer market. In this transfer period they bought players for GBP 36 million and sold for GBP 37 million. This is not a big income, but they sold only two players and bought six. Clasie, Juanmi, van Dijk, Soares and Martina are both future prospect. They have the ability to become Liverpool's...
Southampton have a good eye on the transfer market. In this transfer period they bought players for GBP 36 million and sold for GBP 37 million. This is not a big income, but they sold only two players and bought six. Clasie, Juanmi, van Dijk, Soares and Martina are both future prospect. They have the ability to become Liverpool's player. I think The Saints are on a good way.
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Johnajax 8 years ago
This season Southampton had a slow start in few first games but now i expect that they will be better and better and they will gain right form for sure. This transfer can only be a big boost for their defense and nothing else so I think that this transfer is great thing for both sides and everybody will win from this transfer....
This season Southampton had a slow start in few first games but now i expect that they will be better and better and they will gain right form for sure. This transfer can only be a big boost for their defense and nothing else so I think that this transfer is great thing for both sides and everybody will win from this transfer.
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galata86 8 years ago
Van Dijk is great defender, he plays on position central defense and he don't need to be very fast and he is tall and have great jump so I think that he will fit in in Premier league great and that is part where I can't agree with timidi. I think that he will have great career in premier league and he will maybe sign for...
Van Dijk is great defender, he plays on position central defense and he don't need to be very fast and he is tall and have great jump so I think that he will fit in in Premier league great and that is part where I can't agree with timidi. I think that he will have great career in premier league and he will maybe sign for even better club in the future.
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timidi 8 years ago
I agree with Alexa Alexa, Van Dijk is probably one of the best defenders in Scotland but their league have very low quality. We saw how poor was Celtic in qualification for European competitions, they struggle a lot and at the end they are lost from Malme. I think that Premier league is too fast for this player and he can't...
I agree with Alexa Alexa, Van Dijk is probably one of the best defenders in Scotland but their league have very low quality. We saw how poor was Celtic in qualification for European competitions, they struggle a lot and at the end they are lost from Malme. I think that Premier league is too fast for this player and he can't adopt on phase of Premier league.
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rikimartin4444_115925
8 years ago
Another great move for Southampton. They are really serious team with great scouting. They always find great players for not so big money and after year or two they sale them for two or three times bigger price. Virgil Van Dijk was awesome last season and it ti time for step forward in his carer. I hope he will continue...
Another great move for Southampton. They are really serious team with great scouting. They always find great players for not so big money and after year or two they sale them for two or three times bigger price. Virgil Van Dijk was awesome last season and it ti time for step forward in his carer. I hope he will continue with good games in new club.
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Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
Virgil Van Dijk is probably the best defensive player in Scotish league.He played really good for the Celtic.Celtic immediately find in replacement for him,cause they signed Simunovic from Dinamo Zagreb,so everyone is happy after finishing this deal.Van Dijk will have a place in the team of Southampton,I am sure in that.
Virgil Van Dijk is probably the best defensive player in Scotish league.He played really good for the Celtic.Celtic immediately find in replacement for him,cause they signed Simunovic from Dinamo Zagreb,so everyone is happy after finishing this deal.Van Dijk will have a place in the team of Southampton,I am sure in that.
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sharpe
8 years ago
Southampton is one of the most efficient teams in the Premier League when it comes to transfers. This season they've started to spend more for players and the latest transfer of Van Dijk just confirms that. When you have so many newcomers in the squad is certain that the things on the field wont be looking so good at first....
Southampton is one of the most efficient teams in the Premier League when it comes to transfers. This season they've started to spend more for players and the latest transfer of Van Dijk just confirms that. When you have so many newcomers in the squad is certain that the things on the field wont be looking so good at first. Probably they will start playing much better in the middle of the season when all these new buys start get used to one another.
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