It's been the worst kept secret for a week or so now, but finally Sofiane Boufal has been announced as having joined Southampton FC

Saints have announced that Soifiane Boufal has signed from Lille to become the club's record signing with a five year contract.

Now with this signing in the bag Saints need to be looking at at least two more players to boost the squad with a central defender, preferably with the ability to also play right back being a priority in my opinion.

Also a striker could come in, although if Saints were to keep Jay Rodriguez, the arrival of Boufal would supply extra firepower.

The Moroccan international enjoyed a hugely successful year and a half with Lille; becoming one of the most highly-rated youngsters in France after moving from Angers in January 2015.

22-year-old Boufal made 34 appearances during his first full season at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, scoring 12 goals in all competitions as Lille finished fifth in Ligue 1 and reached the final of the Coupe de la Ligue.

On Boufal’s arrival, Executive Director of Football Les Reed said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Sofiane to Southampton Football Club."

“He has shown his undoubted qualities in France over the past few seasons, and we are extremely confident he will successfully adapt to life in the Premier League."

“Sofiane is a player we have watched develop closely over the last few years, and we’re thrilled to have him join the club ahead of what promises to be a very exciting season, with Europa League football on the horizon."

“His excellent campaign with Lille last season meant a number of clubs were pursuing him to secure his services, but we’re delighted that Sofiane sees Southampton as the best place for him to continue his development.

“Saints fans may have to wait for a few weeks yet to see him demonstrate his skills, as Sofiane had a delayed start to his pre-season training and will be working very hard with our fitness staff to get up to full match fitness.

“At just 22 years of age, he will undoubtedly continue to improve as a player, and we’re very pleased that he will be able to make that progression with us here at Southampton.”

Speaking about his arrival at St Mary’s, Boufal said:

“I’m very, very happy to sign for Southampton and I am really excited to play in St Mary’s Stadium in front of the fans.

“Southampton showed big interest in signing me, and I can see that this club is the best place for me to continue my progression as a footballer.

“I hope I can achieve many great things with Southampton. It is a very good club, with excellent facilities, and I feel it is the perfect environment to continue my development.”

Photo: Action Images

the_saint added 15:08 - Aug 29 If les reed has been watching his development over the last few years why did he not pay his former club Angers the 3 m that Lille payed a year ago???
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Bettwsresident added 15:08 - Aug 29 I've got mixed feelings about this one. Another player with knee issues to add to CA and J Rod. I only hope its not catching and Shane and Dusan stay fit! I also think he fits better in a 4,2,3,1, with Boufal, Tadic and Long behind J Rod or CA.....backed up by Holberg and Romeu, that is a front 4 that makes the mouth water! If we are going to stick with the diamond then we really need a front man who can score goals, we have the players to supply them and I feeling like a broken record bemoaning our appalling conversion rate of shots to goals. Last season we scored from 11% of efforts compared to Arsenals 21% and a league average 15%. This season we have started with 2 goals from 53 shots..a 3.7% conversion rate!...and conceded 4 goal from 22 shots...a more normal 18% conversion rate. I like the idea of signing another center back or converting Betrand to one (he was pretty tidy last year when he played in a back 3)if Gardos is not 1st team material. No only would it be cover for Jose and VVD but also it opens up the option of playing a back 3 if required or moving him to the base of the diamond. VVD appears to have has huge potential to be a midfield enforcer, link play and maraud forward. Can we clone him and have 3 VVD's in the side!

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dirk_doone added 15:56 - Aug 29 Judging from all of the publicity shots and interviews, you'd think we'd just signed Les Reed. I imagine he must be really p!ssed off that Match of the Day won't film him doing the post-match interviews, when we win.
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the_saint added 16:40 - Aug 29 Sorry dirk doon was suppose to press up arrow ( they are to close together esp on I phone Can we get this sorted???
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DPeps added 18:41 - Aug 29 Great signing. Now let's add further: another attacker and a CB and/or defensive midfielder please Les
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pintsizedsaint added 19:03 - Aug 29 My favourite headline: "forget Sadio Mane, this is an upgrade. Boufal is Mane 2.0..." Quality! And true - once again SFC make a profit and upgrade. Boufal can play at number 10 or out wide. He's very, very similar to Hazard and that's a pretty big call to make! Attitude, ability to beef up in a tough tackling league, and this current injury are minor question marks. I'm looking to this!

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pintsizedsaint added 19:04 - Aug 29 ...I'm looking forward to this! Blooming predictive text...
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stevesensitive added 19:10 - Aug 29 Shane, Dusan, Sofiane ...do you have to be UNDER a certain height to play for Saints?
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A1079 added 00:08 - Aug 30 Contract for 5 years, if he is any good, gone in 2.
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aceofthebase added 07:03 - Aug 30 This height thing, could it be that they are all taller than Les and therefore are seen by the recruiting team as giants?
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perazi added 08:09 - Aug 30 Looks a great signing, although the reports of him being better than Mane are probably going to heap unwanted pressure on the lad. A couple of odd things, there were media stories that Barcelona were going to sign in him, and also interest from Chelsea and Arsenal - quite a coup if we managed to beat off that interest. Then there's the reported price of 21 million which fell away to 16 million upon signing! Boufal looks the quality and excitement factor Saints needed - another player or two in would settle a few anxieties among the supporter base.

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