Southampton agreed a club-record deal to sign Ghanaian winger, Kamaldeen Sulemana from French side Rennes for about £22 million.
The 20-year-old Black Stars midfielder was also linked to the Saint’s relegation rivals, Everton, but he chose to ply his trade in the south coast.
The deal could rise to around £24.6 million and it surpasses the £20 million Southampton paid to sign Danny Ings from Liverpool in 2019.
Sulemana completed the move after undergoing his medical tests in France.
Saint Sulemana 😇 pic.twitter.com/Ty1H2fYeI1
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 1, 2023
While speaking in the Carabao Cup post-match conference, Southampton manager Nathan Jones spoke about the qualities the youngster brings to the Saints.
He said: “This is another really positive addition for us this month. We’ve obviously been keen to add a little more potency to the side, and Kamaldeen is someone who does that for us.
“He’s at a stage in his career where we feel he can help us in the immediate term, but also continue to grow and develop further into the future.”
He joined Rennes in 2021 and found the back of the net six times in 36 matches, including once in 20 games this season.
He has won 15 caps for Ghana including three appearances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The former Nordsjaelland winger was Southampton’s second signing on the deadline day after they completed the transfer of Nigerian forward Paul Onuachu. He will join Black Stars teammate Mohammed Salisu at St. Mary’s Stadium.