Southampton’s Oriol Romeu in action during the Premier League match at St Mary’s, Southampton.

Southampton FC have sealed a nostalgic return by signing midfielder Oriol Romeu on a free transfer, bringing the 33-year-old Spaniard back to St Mary’s where his career truly took off.

Romeu, who made 253 appearances for the Saints between 2012 and 2019, captaining the side and featuring in their Europa League adventures, joins until June 2026 after his release from Girona. His experience, including stints at Barcelona’s La Masia academy, Chelsea, and a solid two-year spell in Catalonia where he played 68 La Liga games, adds vital steel to Russell Martin’s Championship promotion push.

Oriol Romeu at Barcelona

The former Barcelona youth product, known for his no-nonsense tackling and passing range, expressed his delight: “It’s a dream come true to return to the club that shaped me. Southampton feels like home, and I’m excited to help the team climb back to the Premier League.” This reunion caps a summer of shrewd moves for the Saints, who sit third in the table after eight games.

Welcome back, Oriol, let’s make more memories at St Mary’s!