Joe Aribo joins Southampton from Rangers

Mueez Ajao

– Southampton have completed the signing of Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo on a four-year contract.

– The 25-year-old Nigeria international joins for a fee reported to be about £6m, rising to £10m with add-ons.

– Aribo spent three seasons at Ibrox after moving from Charlton in 2019, helping Rangers win the Scottish Premiership in 2021 and scoring in last season’s Europa League final defeat.

Also Read: Rangers suffer Europa League final penalty shootout defeat to Frankfurt

Rangers can today confirm the transfer of @J_Aribo19 to @SouthamptonFC for a significant, undisclosed fee.
Aribo has served Rangers with distinction in the last three seasons, and leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Ibrox.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) July 9, 2022

Official, confirmed. Joe Aribo signs as new Southampton player, deal completed with Rangers for £6m plus add-ons up to £10m potential total fee. ⚪️🔴 #SaintsFC
Medical completed yesterday and deal now sealed, club statement confirms. pic.twitter.com/p23gkDf7gH
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 9, 2022

– “It’s an amazing club with a lot of history here,” Aribo said.

Aribo announced ✍️#SaintsFC is delighted to confirm the signing of @J_Aribo19 on a four-year contract from #RangersFC:
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 9, 2022

– “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.

Buzzing to have signed for @SouthamptonFC! Can’t wait to get started. Thank you for all your messages! 🙏🏾♥️ #LetsWork pic.twitter.com/84FmF7a2o1
— Joe Aribo (@J_Aribo19) July 9, 2022

– “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.”

How does it feel to reach the #PL, @J_Aribo19? 😁
Watch our first interview with #SaintsFC's fifth summer signing 🎥
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 9, 2022

– Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said he was “very pleased” to add a player with “many qualities” to his squad.

Red certainly suits you, @J_Aribo19 😏 pic.twitter.com/62HnklhvRW
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 9, 2022

– “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,” said Hasenhuttl.

Welcome to Southampton, @J_Aribo19! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/sG0vY6mQo1
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 9, 2022

– “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.”

👊 Captain at 21
🇳🇬 Senior international
🤩 Europa League final scorer
Get to know @J_Aribo19:
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 9, 2022

– Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst told Sky Sports on Thursday that Aribo was expected to depart Ibrox, paying tribute to a “very important player” who scored 26 goals in 148 appearances for the club.

👍 @J_Aribo19
Drop your welcome messages below, #SaintsFC fans! 👇 pic.twitter.com/PUVuUEvMR8
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 9, 2022

– “What he’s done for this club has been fantastic,” Van Bronckhorst said.

– Aribo, who had one year remaining on his Rangers contract, becomes Saints’ fifth summer signing after Mateusz Lis, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Romeo Lavia and Gavin Bazunu.