DONE DEAL: Romeu "really excited" to make Southampton return

DONE DEAL: Romeu "really excited" to make Southampton return

Southampton have re-signed veteran midfielder Oriol Romeu.

A free agent after coming off contract at Barcelona over the summer, Romeu has penned a deal to the end of this Championship season.

Romeu said: "I'm really happy, really excited. I'm willing to help from the first day.

"In all aspects, I feel lucky to be back, and I feel also motivated to push as much as I can.

"I've felt just around the club and even around the city how much respect and love I'm getting. It's special. There is nothing else than gratitude to that and also the willingness to give them back that love with good games, with good performances, with professionalism, respect. That's my goal right now, because when you have that reaction from everyone, it just says a lot and you just want to give it back.

"The fact that I'm coming back probably speaks by itself. I was happy here. I enjoyed my period at the club. I grew as a player and as a person. It made me more mature in all aspects of life. Now that I've had also another experience back in my home country, being able to come back here, which I also feel like home in a way, it's great.

"This club has had a real impact in myself. The feeling is, as long as I can, I want to help and I want to be involved because I feel like I owe something to them as well."

Group Technical Director Johannes Spors said: “Ori has a special connection with this club and adds a wealth of experience into the group.

“He understands the importance of his influence off the pitch as much as on it and will play a vital role in terms of the culture we want to instil throughout the squad."