Southampton completes Redmond transfer from Norwich

Southampton has added some pace down the flanks for the 2016-17 campaign with the acquisition of Nathan Redmond from Norwich City for a reported £11-million fee.

(Courtesy: @SouthamptonFC)

The cost of the 22-year-old's transfer is the highest the Canaries have ever received for a player, trumping the reported £8 million Bournemouth paid for Lewis Grabban in January.

"It just felt right when Southampton called up and said they were interested, and it was only right to take it serious," Redmond said at his unveiling.

Redmond was swayed by the opportunity to return to playing on the continent, which he experienced during his formative years at Birmingham City.

"I played Europa League back at Birmingham three or four years ago and that was exciting as well; albeit I was probably a bit naive to it at the time being 17," he said.

Redmond was sometimes sacrificed in the lineup during Norwich's relegation from the Premier League last season, as manager Alex Neil often opted for a defence-minded XI. He still bagged six goals and three assists in 24 starts, though, and has shown his qualities on the wing in 29 appearances for the England Under-21s.

At Southampton, he'll be up against Dusan Tadic, Sadio Mane, and Shane Long for a wide position, although it's not known who his boss will be on the south coast following the exit of Ronald Koeman for Everton earlier this summer.

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Redmond is the first Saints signing of the transfer window, and joins after Victor Wanyama and Juanmi were sold to Tottenham Hotspur and Real Sociedad, respectively.