SOUTHAMPTON have swooped to complete the £10million signing of former Manchester United and Chelsea target Armel Bella-Kotchap.
The Paris-born defender, 20, has joined the club from German side Bochum on a four-year contract.
The German Under-21 international first caught the eye during the 2020/21 campaign as he helped his former employers to win Bundesliga 2.
And he continued to shine following promotion in the top-flight, leading to scouts from both United and Chelsea watching him closely.
But it was Southampton that moved quickest to snap up Bella-Kotchap to leave their manager Ralph Hasenhuttl delighted.
He said: “He is a player who fits our profile very well and has a huge amount of potential.
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“But, with the number of senior games he has already played, he can help us immediately.
“I think he has made the perfect choice in wanting to join us and we will now work with him to make sure he reaches his potential both for himself and for the team.”
Bella-Kotchap came through the ranks at Bochum and played 74 times for the club.
And 22 of those came last season as he helped them to secure a mid-table finish in the Bundesliga.
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Now he is desperate to continue his progress in England after sealing his “dream” move.
The star said: “I think, every young player dreams to play in the Premier League and I’m here and I’m happy and thankful for that.
“The coach has a big impact on me. We speak the same language and his interest was very big in me.
“The club convinced me and said they want to make a project with me.
“I’m ready to go and I will fight for my place.”
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