Done deal: Southampton sign Oriol Romeu from Chelsea

Southampton have completed the signing of Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu from Chelsea on a three-year deal.

The 23-year-old joins the Saints after four years as a Chelsea player in which he made 33 appearances.

Romeu was part of the same Blues squad as Ryan Bertrand, winning the UEFA Champions League in 2012 and the UEFA Europa League a year later.

He represented Spain at every level from under-17 to under-23, playing at the 2012 Olympic Games, and has spent time on loan with Valencia and VfB Stuttgart in recent years.

About his new club, Romeu said: “It’s very good to be a part of this club.

I was looking for a good club and for something new in my career.

“After spending two years on loan, I needed something permanent and a club with a future – and I think I chose the right one.

“Southampton are doing the right things in the last few years and, once they came to me and asked me to come here, from the first day I was hoping to come.

“Now I just want to keep going and to keep developing as a player, and I’m looking forward to start playing as soon as possible."