STUART ARMSTONG has this evening officially left Celtic to sign for Southampton on a 4 year contract. Here is the video of his interview with his new club.
Southampton revealed that they beat off interest from several other Premier League clubs to sign the 26 year old Scotland International from Celtic for a fee of around £7million.
Armstrong will now meet his new team-mates on Thursday when the Saints return from their summer break to begin pre-season training and Mark Hughes will be delighted to have hit the ground running in his attempts to improve a squad that so nearly dropped out of the elite English division last term.
Commenting on his new signing theSouthampton manager said: “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.
“He brings with him extensive experience of European football and has developed his game impressively over the past few seasons at a major club in Celtic, where there is a demand not only to perform but also to win. Stuart has done both during his time there.
“Our research tells us he is an excellent young man, intelligent, and a strong team player, and clearly having another really good character in our group is part of what we want here at Southampton.
“He has shown tremendous drive to improve and has also displayed a great desire to be a part of what we are trying to achieve here, and I believe he will be a real asset to the squad in the years ahead.”
Armstrong said: “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.”
Everyone at Celtic will wish Stuart all the best at Southampton.
Photos courtesy of Southampton FC, what a song they are getting from us!
