Mohamed Elyounoussi joins Southampton from Basel in deal worth £16 million

Sport360 staff 16:38 29/06/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Elyounoussi in action against Manchester City last season in the UCL.

    Norway forward Mohamed Elyounoussi is confident he can make an impact in the Premier League after joining Southampton on a five-year deal from Basel.

    Press Association Sport understands the transfer fee to be in the region of £16million.

    Morocco-born Elyounoussi scored 23 times in 83 appearances for the Swiss Super League side, having joined from Norwegian club Molde in July 2016.

    The 23-year-old, who has 16 caps and four goals for Norway, brings with him experience of both Champions League and Europa League football.

    Elyounoussi cannot wait to test himself in the English top flight.

    “I am really excited to get started. The club has been following me for a long time, watching many games, so I feel really confident to come here and to get even better and develop myself,” he said on the Southampton website.

    “It’s a family club that is known for bringing in players, developing them and for younger players to get better.

    “I’m a hard worker on the pitch and I like to create chances, either for me or to play others through. That’s where I’m at my best, when I can use my creativity, so I think the philosophy of the club will suit me very well.”

    Southampton boss Mark Hughes, whose signed a new contract after keeping the club in the Premier League at the end of last season, is shaping the squad for the new campaign.

    Elyounoussi’s arrival follows the addition of Scotland international Stuart Armstrong from Celtic, while goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has been handed a new four-year contract.

    Serbian midfielder Dusan Tadic, meanwhile, has left to join Dutch side Ajax, while veteran keeper Stuart Taylor departs at the end of his contract.

    Hughes feels Elyounoussi will prove a valuable addition.

    “He has got an outstanding record of goals and assists in two different countries, and we have been extremely impressed by the intelligence he has shown in his play from a tactical point of view,” the Saints boss said.

    “He’s still at a young age as well, so we’re confident he can continue to improve and fulfil even more of his potential with us.

    “Following on from the arrival of Stuart Armstrong this week, we feel we have made real progress in adding a new dimension to our attack ahead of the season.”

    Recommended