London (AFP) – Midfield enforcer Victor Wanyama became the first player from Southampton to join up with former manager Mauricio Pochettino when he signed for Spurs from their Premier League rivals on Thursday.
The 24-year-old Kenyan international — who Southampton refused to sell to Spurs last year — will cost a reported £9 million ($13.4 million, 11.7 million euros), although with add-ons it could rise to £12 million.
Wanyama signed a five-year contract and is Pochettino’s first signing of the close season, as he builds a side not only for the Premier League campaign but also the Champions League after they finished third last term.
Wanyama, who made his international debut aged just 15, impressed for the Saints last season as they finished a best-ever sixth in the Premier League.
Wanyama, who scored four goals in 85 league appearances and had a year to run on his contract, is the second big loss to Southampton in the past week after manager Ronald Koeman left to take over at Everton.
Pochettino was the man responsible for bringing Wanyama to Southampton, signing him from Celtic for the 2013/14 campaign, making him the first Kenyan to play in the Premier League, but the Argentine left for Spurs at the end of that season.
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