Southampton F.C. completed the signing of Moroccan striker Sofiane Boufal from Lille yesterday, sealing the club’s all-time record transfer fee.
The signing of 22 year old Boufal marks the club’s traditional end-of-window marquee signing and is expected to provide a major boost to Claude Puel’s squad in the weeks ahead.
Boufal had been heavily linked to the South Coast throughout the transfer window, with speculation intensifying late last week as more details on the state of negotiations leaked. Though the club have not disclosed the transfer fee, rumours put the fee in the vicinity of £20m plus bonuses.
If true, the figure would smash the record previously set by the signing of Dani Osvaldo at £12.8m and represent a new era in spending at the usually tight-fisted club.
The 22 year old Moroccan striker’s path to Southampton has taken him through Ligue 1, first as a youth at Angers and later playing three years for the club, where he scored four goals through 46 appearances.
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In January 2015 Boufal moved across the country to Lille, where he distinguished himself with 14 goals through 46 appearances in his year-and-a-half with Les Dogues. In his first full year with the club, he recorded 12 goals in 34 appearances and helped him team to the final of the Coupe de la Ligue and a fifth-overall finish in Ligue 1.
He arrives at Southampton as one of the most highly-rated youngsters to come out of France in recent years, and will link up with a French manager who is known for his ability to develop youth talent.
Speaking on the signing, Executive Director of Football Les Reed was full of praise, saying “I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Sofiane to the club.”
“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,” Reed told club media. “We’re delighted that Sofiane sees Southampton as the best place to continue his development.”
Fans may have to wait a few weeks for their newest signing to be ready for action, though; after undergoing a knee operation in May, the Moroccan was out for most of his former club’s preseason. While he’s currently match-fit, Reed told club media that Boufal would be closely evaluated in the international break and beyond.
“Sofiane will be working very hard with our fitness staff to get up to full match fitness,” Reed stated.