Southampton sign Middlesbrough midfielder Azaz

Azaz joins Saints for an initial £12m that could rise to £14m with add-ons

Southampton have signed Middlesbrough attacking midfielder Finn Azaz on a four-year-deal.

The 24-year-old has joined for an initial fee of £12m that could rise to £14m with add-ons, reports BBC Radio Solent.

In 93 appearances, Azaz has registered 46 goal contributions in the second tier for Boro and Plymouth Argyle.

Azaz joined Middlesbrough from Aston Villa in January 2024 and played 68 games for the club, scoring 17 goals and contributing 17 assists.

"It feels amazing, obviously it's been talked about for a little while," Azaz told the Southampton website.

"I'm really happy to be here and I'm really, really excited to prove I can play for a Premier League club.

"I know we're in the Championship now, but we're trying to operate at Premier League level to ultimately get promoted, win the league and get back to the Premier League."

Southampton's group technical director Johannes Spors said: "Finn is a player with tremendous ability who will bring extra creativity to boost our attacking options.

"He is a proven performer in the Championship, and we look forward to seeing him continue his impressive development here at Southampton."

Azaz can be 'very important' - Still

Saints boss Will Still described his latest signing as a "proven" player in the Championship, while Azaz has also won seven caps for Republic of Ireland at international level.

The playmaker represents the latest addition to the squad following the high-profile departures of Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes.

"His stats speak for themselves," Still told BBC Radio Solent.

"He's a proven goalscorer and assister in the Championship, he has scored and has been important for every team that he has played at.

"He has always been available between lines, he gets in the box and is able to anticipate things before most people.

"He is often in a space where he is able to turn and look forward, he can be very important."

Saints have also agreed a deal to sign West Bromwich Albion's Tom Fellows and are also in talks to sign German central midfielder Caspar Jander from FC Nuremberg.

Reports have suggested they are also close to reaching an agreement for Heidenheim winger Leo Scienza.