Over the last decade at Southampton their supporters have been spoilt with the conveyor belt of left backs they have continued to produce.
Wayne Bridge, Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw, to name a few- as well as playing a big part in the career of Graeme Le Saux’s, but now its the turn of another former Blues player, Ryan Bertrand…
Despite being a Chelsea player since 2006, after progressing through the ranks at Gillingham from the age of 9, Bertrand was on the periphery at Stamford Bridge. Wayne Bridge, Ashley Cole, Cesar Azplicueta and now Filipe Luis, have all kept the young Englishman out of contention for the Blues.
Which has meant several loan moves away from the Kings Road club. Bournemouth, Oldham, Norwich and most recently Aston Villa and Southampton have all acquired the players services on a temporary contract.
However it hasn’t been until now that the Southwark born 25 year old has really begun to flourish. After 30 million pounds was paid for Luke Shaw in the Summer by Manchester United, Bertrand has reaped the rewards of game-time and for once in his career, little competition for places.
Which is why it is no surprise that despite being a European Cup winner with Chelsea, that he has finally ended his long-distance relationship with the London club, committing his long-term future to the South-Coast club for a fee of around £10 million pounds.
And yet although Saints fans will be still hoping young Matthew Targett continues to be given opportunities in the same position, they seem content with the deadline day acquisition…
Good news with @ryanbertrand3 sign for @SouthamptonFC #saintsfc #WeMarchOn
— Andy (@AndyGaller) February 3, 2015
Brilliant signing… Signing @ryanbertrand3 on a permanent deal. #saintsfc
— Karl (New Account) (@KarlMacSFC) February 3, 2015
Woke up to snow and the news that @ryanbertrand3 signed for Saints! Decent
— Ollie Allen (@MichaelJordaaan) February 3, 2015
Apparently Ryan Bertrand signed for Saints for £10mill!! That’s outstanding business!! That plus all the loans he’s a £30million player lol!
— Dan Waite (@LittleDan8585) February 3, 2015
Great signing for the Saints, on both players, @ryanbertrand3 It is great you are now a Saint. You have proved yourself to the fans. TY
— Steven.J.Townson (@StevenJTownson) February 3, 2015
£10 million for Bertrand. Great business from us again there. Good signing for saints and Ryan too
— Albie Miles (@AlbieMiles) February 2, 2015
Happy Saints have made @ryanbertrand3‘s deal permanent, he’s been a class player for us #DeadlineDay
— Elliott Jenkin (@EJen5) February 2, 2015
Saints make @ryanbertrand3 a permanent signing. Excellent, i’ll raise my transfer deadline day glass to that. #GREATSIGNING #saintsfc
— Michael Carr (@Michael_Carr1) February 2, 2015
Great to see that @ryanbertrand3 has signed a permanent deal with Saints! He’s been great this season.
— Dan Paddock (@DanPaddock) February 2, 2015
@ryanbertrand3 welcome as a permanent saints player ryan. Well happy!
— Dean Macdermott (@toothspinner) February 2, 2015
