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Dusan Tadic is proud of the four years he spent at Southampton as he completed his transfer to Dutch giants Ajax.
Tadic signed with the Amsterdam club earlier this week for a reported initial fee of around £10m.
Talking to the London Standard while on international duty for Serbia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup [H/T the Daily Echo], Tadic told of his excitement at the Ajax move and spoke fondly of his time at Saints:
”I’m very happy because Ajax is one of the biggest clubs in Holland and the world.
”It was always my dream to be at Ajax. It was an easy decision because I had a lot of opportunities in the Premier League and other countries but I think Ajax is best for my future.
”I did good in the Premier League. In four years, I was for three [of them] in the top five best assisters in the Premier League and probably in the top ten of creating chances.
”I’m very proud because Southampton is not the biggest club in the Premier League and the Premier League is the toughest league in the world.
”I showed I can play there at high level. I had beautiful years with Southampton - great club, great people, great supporters - and I’m very proud of my four years.”
Tadic also had kind words for newly-appointed Southampton boss Mark Hughes and his backroom staff.
”I’m sure that Mark Hughes, with his assistants Eddie [Niedzwiecki] and Mark [Bowen], will do great for Southampton. I wish they had come before,” Tadic said.
”It was a pleasure to work with them. They will do a great job without me and I felt it was a moment for me to leave. We [me and Hughes] had a message today.
”I’m pleased to work with him and his assistants, they’re great people, great coaches. They’re best possible choice for Southampton. All people in Southampton should be happy to have them at the club.
”I’ll miss supporters. And you’re very good journalists,” said Tadic. “Very honest! It was nice to work with everyone and I was very pleased with everything. What can I say? The Premier League is the best league in the world and you [the English media] should be proud of the standards.
”What will I not miss? The weather! No, seriously, There’s nothing I won’t miss. I really enjoyed football. It was a pleasure every day, every moment. Everything was nice.”