Southampton have officially confirmed the signing of centre-back Jannik Vestergaard from Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach, as revealed on the club’s website.
The statement, also unveiled on the club’s Twitter account, reveals that the 6’5″ (source: Transfermarkt) Danish colossus has agreed a four-year deal which will keep him at St Mary’s until 2022, and will join up with his new team mates at Staplewood next week.
#SaintsFC is delighted to announce the signing of Denmark international defender @JVestergaard7 from @Borussia! https://t.co/A5cksfN8bm
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 13, 2018
The Danish international was selected to represent his country in this summer’s World Cup, where they crashed out at the last-16 stage on penalties to Croatia.
Saints boss Mark Hughes was quoted by the club as saying: “We have had to fight off a lot of competition to bring Jannik here, and we are delighted he has chosen Southampton as the right place to take the next step in his career.
“Although we were aware of the level of interest in Jannik, he made it clear very quickly that the quality of the club and the ambitions we have here meant this was his number-one option.”
OPINION
Southampton have pulled off a massive coup in acquiring Jannik Vestergaard this summer. His addition means that the Saints’ back four will be stabilised with his presence in the centre of defence, as well as providing threat in the penalty area with his towering 6’5″ stature. He is an excellent addition to Mark Hughes’ squad, and will help prevent the team from leaking in important goals that cost them last season. His experience at international level will prove vital to the side as well, who will appreciate his level of calibre in such an important Premier League campaign. Now we will have to wait and see how Vestergaard settles into playing life in England with Southampton, and whether Hughes has made the right decision in bringing him to the South Coast. There is no doubt he will establish himself as a firm fan favourite with the Saints faithful, who will be excited to have a World Cup star amongst their ranks.