SAINTS defender Romain Perraud is looking to pay forward the help he received when he first arrived at St Mary’s. Left-back Perraud joined Saints in the summer of 2021 from Stade Brest, going on to make 29 appearances so far during his career on the south coast. In the summer transfer window, Saints continued to do business with French clubs, acquiring Duje Caleta-Car from Marseille and Sekou Mara from Bordeaux. After being welcomed to England last year, Perraud is more than happy to assist his new teammates to adapt to life in the UK.
Romain Perraud said: “Some players speak French, like Sekou Mara or Armel Bella-Kotchap, so it is easier sometimes to give some words just to help them, especially on the pitch, but as well off the pitch. It is nice, Duje (Caleta-Car) has arrived from Marseille and he speaks a bit of French, and he is learning English, so I can help him as well. When I arrived, players tried to help me, so it is natural for me to do the same.”
Mara and Caleta-Car arrive at Saints having crossed paths with Perraud during their mutual time in Ligue 1.
Romain Perraud said: “I played against them, more against Duje, because Sekou it was his first season with Bordeaux really last year. We spoke together and now we are ready to play together. He (Mara) is a very good young player. He has shown so many good things at Bordeaux and with the national team, but I told him sometimes it is not easy when you arrive in the Premier League to adapt. You need time, maybe, but he can be ready and I am not worried about him, because he is a good player, and a nice guy, so it is not a problem.”
