Southampton have signed forward, Cyle Larin on a permanent transfer from RCD Mallorca for £2.5m.
Larin spent the second half of this season on loan at St Mary’s Stadium and delivered nine goals plus one assist in 22 appearances across all competitions, as the Saints finished fourth in the Championship and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
Southampton however were expelled from the Championship Play-Offs after incidents of spying came to light amidst their semi-final aggregate victory over Middlesbrough, although the Teessiders went on to lose the final to Hull.
The 31 year-old Canadian forward has signed a two-year contract until June 2028, albeit with an option to extend for a further year depending on performances, and he is now pleased to be at the club as a permanent squad member.
“I’m just very happy to be back. From the first day I came into Southampton I was very welcomed by the staff, the players, and then just how it started, to score on my first touch, I think it helped very much.
“I just connected well with the team and the staff and we just had a great season, and I really felt I wanted to continue.
“I enjoyed my football on the pitch and you could see the way I was playing. I came to Southampton and I trust the coach, he brought me and gave me that trust to go play free and I think he gave the whole team a structure to play free and trust each other.”
Larin proceeded to launch a firm defence of under-fire manager, Tonda Eckert as he spoke of the German’s confidence in him, which saw him help the club go on a 21-match unbeaten run in the second tier in the second half of the season.
“Southampton is a big club and, for me, a Premier League club but before coming when watching the games and the style of play when Tonda came, and speaking to him before I came, was an important decision.
“He gave me that trust to be able to go on the field and, first of all, know I’m going to play games and play minutes and do what I do, score goals and just help the team and build up, hold the ball, and all these things that I knew I could do.
“That was important and I think he was a big part of the team doing so well. You could see he brought a group of guys together and was able to perform at a high level each and every game.
“For the team, we know the talent we have, we know the guys we have and I think to put [a run of form] together like that is very hard in football and we did that, and a lot of guys believe we can do it again.”
Southampton however will start next season with a four-point deduction but Larin is confident that they can be right in the promotion mix quickly.
“It doesn’t matter where we start, I think we will be right back up there at the top and show everyone it wasn’t just a fluke. I think we have the guys on the team to do it and the fans to do it, and I think you don’t get that a lot and I want to feel that again.”
Southampton’s Group Technical Director, Johannes Spors added that Larin had chose to make his move permanent like fellow new permanent signing, Daniel Peretz.
“Cyle, like Daniel Peretz, was not obligated to make this move as part of the previous loan agreement. He chose to stay with us ahead of joining other clubs, underlining his commitment to helping us achieve our goals.”
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