Southampton have completed the signing of midfielder Jordy Clasie from Feyenoord on a five-year deal.
The Holland international, 24, becomes the Saints’ fifth summer recruit following the arrivals of Cédric Soares (Sporting CP), Cuco Martina (FC Twente), Juanmi (Málaga) and Maarten Stekelenburg (on loan from Fulham).
The move reunites Clasie with former manager Ronald Koeman, who handed the midfielder his Feyenoord debut in 2011.
“It feels good to be joining Southampton. It’s a nice club, and I’m happy to be here.
“It’s a big club playing in what I think is the biggest and most important league.
“Ronald being here is a big thing for me and that was important in me coming here, but even if he wasn’t here, I’d have come to this club.
“I played every game for him. He’s a good trainer and a good man so I like him, but I came here not only for him. I came here for the club.
“I’ve watched many games of Southampton, and it’s felt good when I’ve watched these games.
“I hope that I have many good moments and good years here.”
Clasie, who represented Holland at last summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil, tallied two goals and six assists in 33 appearances in the Dutch Eredivisie last season.
Lens to Sunderland
Meanwhile, in other news, Sunderland have announced the capture of forward Jeremain Lens from FC Dynamo Kyiv for an undisclosed fee.
The Dutch international, who bagged three goals and one assist in 10 UEFA Europa League appearances for Dynamo last season, has penned a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light, and like the aforementioned Clasie and Koeman, will be reunited with former boss Dick Advocaat, who managed the player at AZ Alkmaar and PSV Eindhoven.
Lens can play as a central striker or on either wing, and will provide Sunderland with some much-needed versatility up front.
“We have signed an international player and I am delighted to welcome him to Sunderland,” Advocaat told the Black Cats’ official website.
“He is a very well-known player in Europe and has played over 30 games for the Dutch national side, which shows his calibre.
“I have worked with him twice already, at PSV and AZ, so I know him well; he is fast and he has scored goals everywhere he has played so that will help the team.”
Sunderland sporting director Lee Congerton added: “We’re absolutely delighted to sign a player of Jeremain’s quality, who has Champions League experience and is a regular for Holland, one of the world’s strongest national teams.”
“He’s a direct and quick player with or without the ball and those characteristics are something we’ve been lacking as a side.”
Sunderland are priced at 6/1 to be the lowest scoring team in the English Premier League in 2015/16.
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