OFFICIAL

Southampton confirm deadline day signing of Paul Onuachu

07:47 - 01 February 2023

Onuachu joined Southampton in January

Nigerian striker Paul Onuachu will now fulfil his dream of playing in the Premier League after signing with Southampton

Southampton have announced the signing of Nigerian international, Paul Onuachu on a three-and-a-half-year.

The Saints paid a reported £16 million fee to KRC Genk to land the Super Eagles striker as they bolstered the squad in a bid to avoid relegation.

https://twitter.com/SouthamptonFC/status/1620580608203264000?s=20&t=FB_tIEZ6CHFVs5TGw5-Tfg

The confirmation of Onuachu's transfer came as a piece of good news for Southampton fans on the same night they got knocked out of the EFL Cup with a semi-final loss to Newcastle.

Onuachu is a Saint

The transfer was officially confirmed by the club through their official social media channels with a short announcement video welcoming the Nigerian to the club.

https://twitter.com/SouthamptonFC/status/1620580072104009729?s=20&t=FB_tIEZ6CHFVs5TGw5-Tfg

The club also put out a statement on their official website confirming the signing of Onuachu and introducing the Nigerian to the fans.

He is Southampton's fifth signing of the month after the transfers of Mislav Orsic, Charly Alcaraz and James Bree and Kamaldeen Sulemana who also arrived on deadline day.

Onuachu arrives at St Mary's Stadium from Genk with a reputation for scoring 85 goals in 134 games for the club.

Genk s Paul Onuachu celebrates after winning a soccer match between Oud-Heverlee Leuven and KRC Genk, Saturday 15 October 2022 in Leuven, on day 12 of the 2022-2023 Jupiler Pro League first division of the Belgian championship.

Paul Onuachu leaves Genk to join Southampton

What was said about the transfer?

Southampton coach Nathan Jones was delighted to welcome Onuachu to the club especially has he had bemoaned the lack of a focal point in the past.

Nathan Jones speaks on Onuachu signing

“Paul is a significant signing for us and completes what has been an extremely positive month in terms of recruitment," Jones said about the Super Eagles man.

“He’s a handful to play against, has got a tremendous record throughout his career and he’s also someone who brings great experience with him, so he’ll be a really positive addition to the squad,” the Southampton manager rounded up.

"I'm happy to fulfil my childhood dream to play in the Prem," Onuachu said on the big move, expressing delight at the transfer.

Onuachu is the top goalscorer in the Belgian Pro League with 16 goals

The six-foot-seven-inches tall centre-forward continued "It's an opportunity, the best league in the world, every player dreams to play there."

Onuachu will have to wait a short while to join his new team physically though as he requires a visa to enter England which the player himself revealed will be ready in two days.