Saints complete Bazunu signing

The 20-year-old, who already has 10 caps for Republic of Ireland, moves to St Mary’s on a five-year deal, becoming the club’s first new recruit of the summer.

Signed by the Premier League champions as a 16-year-old following an outstanding start to his fledgling career at Shamrock Rovers, Bazunu has gained valuable experience out on loan in League One.

After making 32 appearances for Rochdale in 2020/21, last season he excelled between the posts for Portsmouth, where he was voted Player of the Year by his teammates and the club’s supporters.

Ireland’s youngest ever goalkeeper, making his senior debut just one month after turning 19, Bazunu is already a regular starter for his country.

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl said: “As a club, we are always on the lookout for young talent and Gavin is a very exciting addition to the squad. We believe he has tremendous potential to improve and will give us great competition for places in the goalkeeping department.

“He is a goalkeeper with a very modern style of play, comfortable in the build-up phase, who has developed physically through some very important loan moves early in his career.

“He is already an international goalkeeper, which is very rare for his age. Coming from Manchester City, we know he has learned from some of the very best coaches and teammates, and coming here gives him more opportunities to develop his game through playing in the Premier League.”

Gavin Bazunu said: “I’m delighted to be here. It’s been in the works for a few weeks and I’m really happy that we’ve got everything over the line, and I’m just excited to see what’s ahead.

“I feel like it’s a place I can come and develop and learn my game. The biggest thing is opportunity – the fact that I can come here and have a chance to play regular football. Just to be given that opportunity to fight for my place is the biggest thing that I could’ve asked for.”