Ex-Saint Romain Perraud completes Ligue 1 return to join Lille on the back of a bizarre 2024/25 campaign in Spain with Real Betis.
Recently, Southampton heard of Samuel Edozie, who will soon become another ex-player to leave for Top Flight football. But while this transfer ought to benefit the Saints, it raises a pattern too big to go unnoticed.
Notably, most of Saints' summer departures have been to first division clubs, while their transfer incomings have all arrived from the second division. And on a large scale, it translates to the observation that there have been very few Saints to have featured in the Top Flight for years now.
Additionally, with Premier League stars like Ramsdale having endured relegation here, it goes on to say that Southampton's dismal story of the last half-decade. Yet, rarity doesn't mean scarcity, as the fans have at least one former Saint to boast about who has spent his time continuously in the Top Flight.
Enter ex-defender Romain Perraud, who, despite not being untouched by a Saints relegation either, has been doing enough to continue in the first division. And currently, the left-back, influenced by the Saints' luck, is embarking on a new spell with Lille.
Romain Perraud joins Lille after a rollercoaster La Liga spell
Seems nothing unusual, right? Well, only until one delves into the bizarre last year in Perraud's career. Having left Southampton for Real Betis, nobody saw a season as eventful as one consisting of some solid performances, despite little backing and a Conference League heartbreak coming for him.
And while once a Southampton move felt the end of his French journey, Perraud is returning to Ligue 1 within a year of having parted ways with St. Mary's.
At Lille, the 27-year-old will be craving for a bunch of Champions League qualifications but bagging the trophy like Jose Fonte will be tremendous, nonetheless.