Ryan Bertrand to Southampton: Latest Loan Details, Comments and Reaction
Southampton have turned Ryan Bertrand's loan spell into a permanent deal, agreeing to a long-term contract with the former Chelsea starlet just prior to Monday's transfer deadline.
The Saints' official Twitter account confirmed that Bertrand has put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year deal at St. Mary's, extending his stay with the club until the summer of 2019:
The left-back was halfway through a season-long loan with the south-coast outfit, but it appears Ronald Koeman has seen enough of the defender to place more faith in his services.
The 25-year-old has made 57 appearances for the Blues since joining their academy in 2005, per Transfermarkt. Sporting Intelligence reveals Southampton paid £10 million for his signature, giving Chelsea a significant winter boost:
Jose Mourinho is well-covered at left-back between Cesar Azpilicueta and Filipe Luis, while Koeman has found a first-team spot for Bertrand in a squad gradually building momentum as a contender for the Premier League's top four.
Including Southampton, Bertrand was loaned to seven different clubs during his time at Stamford Bridge, but will now seek to build a legacy as a more consistent top-flight asset at St. Mary's.
