Another Nigerian EPL Move
English Premier League side Southampton Football Club has announced the signing of Joe Aribo from Rangers that will keep the Nigerian international on a four-year contract period at the St. Mary park
The 25-year-old eagles man has spent the last three seasons at Scottish side Rangers where he scored 26 goals in 149 appearances as joins the host of others to having featured in many appearances following his 2019 move from Charlton Athletic.
Magical and Versatile Aribo
Aribo was instrumental to Rangers first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years and also won the Scottish Cup plus a runner-up finish in last season’s UEFA Europa League in which he scored in the final.
He was vital to the Successes of Steven Gerrard as a Rangers manager before moving to England as the head coach of Aston Villa.
The now Southampton player was linked to the Villa park this summer as a reunion with his former boss, but Aston Villa backed off due to price valuation of the Midfielder by Rangers.
The Nigerian international with 20 caps to date arrived at Southampton who are excited at the capture of a Midfielder with so much quality and versatility a position captured in the managers comment.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl in reaction to Aribo unveiling said:
“Joe is a player with many qualities to his game, and we are very excited to welcome him to the squad in time for the pre-season trip to Austria.
“We believe Joe can bring energy and creativity to our side. Feeling comfortable in so many different positions is very helpful for a manager and shows he has a high level of football intelligence, with the ability to take on new information quickly.
“He has played a lot of games already in his career, at a very high level, and his performances in the Europa League prove he has the quality to play in the Premier League. This is a big ambition for him, and he is hungry to show everybody he can do it.”
Saint Joe Aribo statement:
“It’s an amazing club with a lot of history here, and it’s a good plan with what’s to come next. I’m really excited for the journey.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world. I’ve been watching it since I was a young boy, it’s always been a goal for me to play here and show what I can do on this stage.
“It’s an amazing feeling, a dream come true. This is where I’ve wanted to be since I was a child growing up playing, so to say that I’m here now is really exciting.”
Joe Aribo has joined fellow Nigerian and Super Eagles star Taiwo Awoniyi of newly promoted Nottingham Forest from Union Berlin to the EPL
Credit: sportsration