Southampton has finalized the transfer of Gavin Bazunu, the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, from Manchester City for a rumoured £12 million fee.

The former Shamrock Rovers goalie, who has ten caps for his country but has never featured in any game for City since his move to the Premier League side in 2019, has signed a five-year deal with the club.

Bazunu spent the 2021-22 season on loan at local rivals Portsmouth, where he won the club’s Player of the Season title and this should a morale booster for Southampton fans.

? Player of the Season, voted by the fans tonight…

? Gavin Bazunu ? #Pompey pic.twitter.com/OFb4FH1xbm

— Portsmouth FC (@Pompey) May 1, 2022

The Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side ended their 2021/22 campaign in 15th spot and will be losing their goalkeeper – Fraser Forster to their Premier League counterpart – Tottenham Hotspur at end of this month.

Last season, Southampton fielded three different goalkeepers in their league games, with Forster having the most outings (19).

Hasenhuttl believes Bazunu’s experience working with Pep Guardiola’s squad qualifies him as an excellent replacement for Fraser Forster.

#SaintsFC is delighted to announce the signing of Gavin Bazunu from @ManCity on a five-year deal! ?

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) June 17, 2022

“He is a goalkeeper with a very modern style of play, comfortable in the build-up phase, who has developed physically through some very important loan moves early in his career. He is already an international goalkeeper, which is very rare for his age. Coming from Manchester City, we know he has learned from some of the very best coaches and team-mates, and coming here gives him more opportunities to develop his game through playing in the Premier League.” – Ralph Hasenhuttl said.

The switch to Southampton offers an opportunity for Bazunu, who was behind Ederson, Zack Steffen, and Scott Carson in the City line of succession, to play regular Premier League games.

“The biggest thing is opportunity – the fact that I can come here and have a chance to play regular football. Just to be given that opportunity to fight for my place is the biggest thing that I could’ve asked for.” – the 20-year-old said.

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