It has been the worst kept secret of the last week or two, but finally the club have announced that they have signed Dynel Simeu from Chelsea read on for all the details as the local lad from Cameroon comes home.

Highly-rated young centre back Dynel Simeu has signed for Southampton on a three-year contract, the club is pleased to confirm.

The press release reads as follows.

The sought-after 19-year-old joins from Chelsea, where he had played since the age of 13, developing into one of the brightest talents in the Blues Academy.

He now returns to the city where he grew up, initially becoming part of the B Team set-up, where he will continue his development during the 2021/22 season as he works towards an eventual step up into the first team.

Cameroon-born Simeu, who is an England Under-19 international, both captained and featured consistently for the Chelsea Under-23s team that finished second in Premier League 2 last season, while he also had experience of the first-team environment at Stamford Bridge, including making the bench in a Champions League tie away to Bayern Munich in August 2020.

Speaking about the transfer, Simeu said:

“I feel glad, finally, that the move was made possible. I'm just excited to get started.

“It's nice to be back home, I've had a really friendly welcome. I feel comfortable that I'm home with my family, so I'm excited.

“I hope to hit the ground running, get fit and comfortable with the boys and then hopefully push towards the first-team.”

When asked about what he will bring to the club, he added:

"I see myself as a leader, so I hope to keep the boys calm, keep everyone happy and guide players on the pitch. Show that I can do my job, on the ball and also defensively."

Whilst it is good that the club have played down Simeu's role in the squad for the forthcoming season and tried to dampen down supporters expectations about a player who is after all still only 19 , there is no doubt that the player himself and inded the club hope that he will push towards a first team place during the season.

Hopefully he will do just that and be a good addition to our squad.

Photo courtesy of Southampton Football Club

Southampton FC