Oriol Romeu has re-signed for Southampton, following two seasons at Girona and a season at Barcelona, where he started his career.
Romeu spent seven seasons at The Saints between 2015 and 2022 but has been a free agent since August having left the Spanish giants.
He said: “I’m really happy, really excited to be back. It’s a good moment for me and I can still help the team. I still feel that I can bring a lot and compete at the highest level – I’m pleased to be here.
I’m excited and I’m I’m looking forward to help the team get back to the Premier League and compete well.”
Romeu returns to St Mary’s, bringing some much needed leadership and experience to a Saints team that sit just six points above the drop.
The Spainard spoke of his pride returning to a club where he feels so loved.
“Just around the club and even around the city, how much respect and love I’m getting — it leaves me speechless, and I have nothing else but gratitude for that, and also a willingness to give back that love with good games, good performances, professionalism, and respect. That’s my goal right now, because when you have that reaction from everyone, it says a lot, and you just want to give something back.”
A lack of game time and general fitness means Romeu will not feature in tomorrows game against Sheffield Wednesday but remains confident he will be back in the squad soon.
“I feel pretty good, to be honest. I haven’t had regular football or game time for a few months, and that’s something I need to work on. I think I’ll get there soon — the sooner, the better. It’ll probably take me a few days to reach the level I want to be at. After the international break, I expect to be ready to help the team on the pitch, hopefully get some good results, and play some great football together.”
The Saints will hope Romeu is back before the start of the busy Christmas period.
