Yesterday Southampton confirmed the capture of Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong.
#SaintsFC is delighted to announce the signing of attacking midfielder Stuart Armstrong from @CelticFC: https://t.co/Z5uX8fSQDV
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) June 26, 2018
The 26-year-old international had been strongly linked with a move to St Mary’s Stadium for a while and really kicked into gear after we reportedly missed out on James Maddison who switched from Norwich to Leicester City.
The club haven’t confirmed the fee, but it was speculated to be in the region of £7million.
He has signed a four-year deal with us and joins up with pre-season training and will get to know his new colleagues on Thursday when our summer preparations for the 2018/19 campaign begin.
Southampton Target Isn’t A Wow Signing But It Hardly Reeks Of No Ambition
In his time with Celtic he won eight major domestic trophies and has 25 games experience in the Champions League, along with eight games in the Europa League. He’s also been named in the PFA Scottish Premiership Team of the Year three times.
Manager Mark Hughes told saintsfc about the capture.
“Stuart is a player who we have admired for some time, and I am delighted we have been able to bring him here, especially given the competition we faced to sign him. We have strong players in the squad and it is important we build on that by adding different qualities. It is important we add a greater goal threat to the team as a whole, and to our midfield specifically, and Stuart’s record of scoring and creating makes him an extremely exciting addition in that area.”
Welcome to #SaintsFC, Stuart Armstrong! ???? pic.twitter.com/vReTPTSh7F
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) June 26, 2018
Armstrong himself said of the move.
“Southampton seems a really good fit for me. Watching from afar, I really enjoy the attractive football that they play and I’m very happy to be here. Every season, I put demands on myself to create and score goals. I hope going forwards from here that it will be the same this term at St Mary’s. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and I’m very excited to get started. It’s a four-year contract; there will be a lot to learn and I want to hit the ground running.”
You wouldn’t expect otherwise but he’s saying all the right things and the thoughts we’ve seen in previous comments from a few Celtic fans, added to comments on social media, suggest we’ve certainly signed a player that can do a good job for us if he adjusts to the Premier League and the sooner he can do that the better.
HIS HAIR IS FINE, HE SCORES BELTERS ALL THE TIME, THATS WHY WE SING THIS SONG FOR STUART ARMSTRONG
— Kieran Smith (@kierannkater98) June 26, 2018
yes. He’s a good passer of the ball, can control the game well and has a sweet strike on him. He will link up well with Gabbiadini
— ً (@JxckM67) June 26, 2018
Best looking team in the Premier league. We may lose but we will look good while doing it
— Blake (@BlakeAHampton) June 26, 2018
OMFG WE SIGNED SOMEONE
— Todd Richards (@ToddRichardsSFC) June 26, 2018
What an announcement what a beautiful man.
— Charlie Austin (@RahilMajid) June 26, 2018
Love this, great announcement!! Keep it up @SouthamptonFC media team #saintsfc
— Martin Ferguson (@MartFergie) June 26, 2018
From us saints fans . Can't wait to see you play. Thanks Celtic and good luck to this season.
— Nick Graham (@nicksfc73) June 27, 2018
