Southampton seal £15m capture of Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu

From Pompey to Southampton… via Man City! Saints seal £15m deal for Republic of Ireland keeper Gavin Bazunu after he shone on loan at fierce rivals Portsmouth last season

  • Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has sealed a £15million switch to join Southampton
  • The 20-year-old was on Manchester City’s books but has been out on loan
  • City have put a buy-back and a sell-on clause in his deal to move to St Mary’s 

Southampton have completed the signing of goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in a deal worth up to £15million.

Ireland international Bazunu has joined from Manchester City for an initial £12m and has signed a five-year contract that will run until 2027 after passing a medical.

The agreement, which has seen Bazunu become Southampton’s first summer signing, also includes a buy-back and also sell-on clause for City.

Southampton have completed a deal to sign Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu from Man City (Pictured: Bazunu on loan last season at Portsmouth, where he won Player of the Season)

Southampton have completed a deal to sign Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu from Man City (Pictured: Bazunu on loan last season at Portsmouth, where he won Player of the Season)

Bazunu bolsters options for boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, who lost Fraser Forster to Tottenham

Bazunu bolsters options for boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, who lost Fraser Forster to Tottenham

Bazunu said: ‘I’m delighted to be here. 

‘It’s been in the works for a few weeks and I’m really happy that we’ve got everything over the line, and I’m just excited to see what’s ahead.

‘I feel like it’s a place I can come and develop and learn my game. 

‘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.’

Southampton moved for Bazunu to fill the gap in their goalkeeping group created by Fraser Forster’s free transfer move to Tottenham.

The 20-year-old will now compete with Alex McCarthy for a place in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team.

Southampton manager Hasenhuttl said: ‘As a club, we are always on the lookout for young talent and Gavin is a very exciting addition to the squad. 

‘We believe he has tremendous potential to improve and will give us great competition for places in the goalkeeping department.

‘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.

Bazunu, 20, is highly rated and already has 10 caps for Republic of Ireland national team

Bazunu, 20, is highly rated and already has 10 caps for Republic of Ireland national team

‘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 teammates, and coming here gives him more opportunities to develop his game through playing in the Premier League.’

Bazunu has spent the last two campaigns on loan in League One with Rochdale and then Southampton’s biggest rivals Portsmouth, where he was named their Player of the Season for 2021-22.

He has also displayed his potential in an Ireland shirt, making 10 appearances for his country.

Manchester City picked Bazunu up as as 16-year-old after he caught the eye with an outstanding start to his career at Shamrock Rovers.

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