Looking to increase their chances of securing one of the top four places which lead in the Champions league next season, Southampton have signed three new players. Two of them on a loan from Germany, Djuricic from Mainz and Eljero Elia from Werder Bremen, while the Saints after loaning Ryan Bertrand from Chelsea FC at the start of the season, decided to sign player on a permanent deal.
The 25-year-old Ryan Bertrand moved to St Mary’s on loan in the summer from Chelsea, but his impressive form and 22 appearances, forced the Saints to sign him the left-back on a permanent deal. Bertrand has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Southampton, while the fee for the England international is believed to be upwards of $10 million.
OFFICIAL: We’re delighted to announce that @ryanbertrand3 has completed a permanent #deadlineday move to #SaintsFC. pic.twitter.com/jrMRB15t5s
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 2, 2015
From Benfica the Saints on a loan signed the Serbia international midfielder, who played the first half of the season in Germany, on a loan at Mainz, making 12 appearances. The 23-year-old joined Ronald Koeman’s side after his parent club canceled his deal with Bundesliga outfit.
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman despite Djuricic’s late struggle in Mainz have a faith in his talent which he noticed while Djuricic was playing in Holland where he netted 26 goals in 111 appearances before joining Benfica.
“It’s part of the philosophy of the club; young players. He was in a difficult situation, he was on loan at Mainz and we will take him on loan for the rest of the season. It’s a good possibility for him, and for us it’s one more player who can play in different positions… The last few weeks we have had problems to score goals, like Sunday [against Swansea]. We created good opportunities and you have to score, always it’s easy to have really good competition.”