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Southampton have completed the signing of Chelsea defender Tino Livramento, who has signed a five-year contract with the club.
The young right-back has signed with the Saints as reports linked him to a number of rival Premier League clubs and teams across Europe.
It’s thought that Southampton paid £5million for Livramento. Reports also say that there is a buy-back clause in the deal which could see the defender return to Chelsea if they pay the agreed (and unconfirmed) transfer fee.
Aged 18, Livramento was named Chelsea academy player of the year last season and made it to the first team bench in big games against Arsenal and Manchester City.
By all accounts, Livramento is a promising defender who is versatile enough to also fill in at left-back as well.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has been on the hunt for players that can flesh out a defence that is fragile in terms of squad depth. Livramento has left Chelsea for Saints for first team football and he should immediately be in the running to challenge both Kyle Walker-Peters and new signing Romain Perraud for a spot in the first XI in the new season.
“Southampton Football Club is delighted to announce it has completed the signing of exciting young full-back Tino Livramento from Chelsea,” Saints said in a club statement.
“A highly sought-after talent, Livramento arrives at St Mary’s on a five-year contract, bolstering Ralph Hasenhüttl’s squad ahead of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign.”
Liveramento is Southampton’s second summer signing from Chelsea’s youth team.
Last week, local lad Dynel Simeu sealed his move to Southampton from the West London club after rumours linked him with a transfer.