Saints sign defender from Torino to replace Vestergaard
Southampton have responded to the departure of Jannik Vestergaard by signing Brazilian defender Lyanco from Torino.
Vestergaard, a full Denmark international, joined Leicester City for £15million on August 13.
His sale meant Ralph Hasenhuttl was in need of a new centre-back to compete with the likes of Jack Stephens, Jan Bednarek and Mohammed Salisu.
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Saints have already brought in young defender Dynel Simeu on loan from Chelsea.
Lyanco has signed a four-year deal at St Mary’s. Fabrizio Romano revealed on Saturday that Saints would pay an initial €7.5million for his signature, plus €2.5m in add-ons. That means the deal is worth around £8.5m in total.
After his move was completed, Lyanco said: “I’m very happy to be here. It’s a dream that I have had since I started playing football as a child to play in the Premier League and for a team like a Southampton. It’s a dream not only for me but for all my family too.
“I grew up in Brazil and the football is different there, then when I went to Italy I learned that you have to be focused more on tactics. My dream was to play in the Premier League and play strong football, and for me English football is perfect.”
Lyanco is a 24-year-old centre-back who was capped ten times for Brazil’s U23 side.
He came through the ranks at Sao Paulo in his home country before being snapped up by Torino four years ago.
He went on to make 53 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring one goal.
Last season, the player featured 23 times in Serie A as Torino finished 17th in the table, four points above the relegation zone.
Lyanco has become Saints’ eighth summer arrival. Theo Walcott, Romain Perraud, Tino Livramento and Adam Armstrong have all been signed permanently, costing around £32.7m in total.
Youngster Armando Broja arrived from Chelsea alongside Simeu.
The south coast club have also beaten a number of Premier League rivals to Thierry Small’s signature.
The 17-year-old became a free agent earlier this summer after ripping up his Everton scholarship.
He remains the Toffees’ youngster player, having made his debut at the age of 16 years and five months.