The 18-year-old dynamic defender Tino Lavramento departs Chelsea with a big reputation in search of first team football, joining south-coast Saints on a five-year contract. He featured heavily in Premier League 2 last season for the Blues’ under-23s, contributing goals and assists up the other end, and follows in the footsteps of Dynel Simeu who joined the club from Cobham in July. Speaking to the club website,
Tino Lavramento said: “I’ve been discussing with my dad about what we thought was best for my future. We felt like this was the right time for it to happen and for me to move on. To have interest from a few top clubs, to choose Southampton was sort of a no-brainer. They are a solid Premier League club and the manager was quite a big factor as to why I wanted to come here and why I wanted to play for Southampton.”
Reports suggested he was linked to the likes of Red Bull Leipzig, AC Milan and Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion. Tino Lavramento told how he had transfer options but insists “to choose Southampton was sort of a no-brainer.” He’s yet to make a senior appearance in his young career but did impress enough to make the bench in the league back in May, when Chelsea played Manchester City and Arsenal.
