Southampton secure Uruguay´s Ramirez

Southampton have competed the signing of Uruguay international Gaston Ramirez from Bologna.

The left-footer has played both on the wing and in a central attacking position, and arrives on a four-year contract from the Italian side for a club-record fee thought to be in the region of 12 million pounds.

“A lot of hard work has gone in from the football club with a lot of negotiations behind the scenes to get this deal done,” manager Nigel Adkins said.

“Great credit to everyone because we have a young, exciting talent joining us who is one of the best around.

“The chairman has gone and backed this deal big-time with the financial outlay, and what we have got is one of the most exciting prospects in world football coming to St Mary’s.

“There is a lot of ambition at the football club and we are all delighted that Gaston is going to come and join us.”

Ramirez scored 10 goals in 35 appearances for Bologna last season, and earlier this summer featured at the London Olympics with Uruguay, for whom he has won 11 international caps.

The Saints have added considerable attacking firepower over the summer to complement Rickie Lambert, signing forward Jay Rodriguez for a then-record seven million pounds from Burnley, and this week adding Zambia international striker Emmanuel Mayuka from Swiss side Young Boys.