Southampton transfer news: Saints break club-record transfer fee to sign Sofiane Boufal from Lille

The 22-year-old Morocco international has signed for a fee believed to be in the region of £16m

Sofiane Boufal has signed a five-year contract with Southampton (Southampton FC)

Southampton have announced the signing of attacking midfielder Sofiane Boufal from Lille for a club-record fee believed to be in the region of £16m.

The 22-year-old Morocco international has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at St Mary's.

Boufal said: "I'm very, very happy to sign for Southampton and I am really excited to play in St Mary's Stadium in front of the fans.

"Southampton showed big interest in signing me, and I can see that this club is the best place for me to continue my progression as a footballer.

"I hope I can achieve many great things with Southampton. It is a very good club, with excellent facilities, and I feel it is the perfect environment to continue my development."

The Moroccan rose through the ranks at Angers, making his debut for the club at 18, before helping the side secure promotion to Ligue 1 in the 2014/15 season.

His appearances for the side caught the attention of a number of French sides before he eventually signed for Lille.

He made 43 appearances for the side, scoring 14 goals, but will now bring his trade to the Premier League and is expected to fill the void left by Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle following their departures from the club.

Les Reed, Saints' executive director of football, said: "I'm absolutely delighted to welcome Sofiane to Southampton Football Club.

"He has shown his undoubted qualities in France over the past few seasons, and we are extremely confident he will successfully adapt to life in the Premier League.

"Sofiane is a player we have watched develop closely over the last few years, and we're thrilled to have him join the club ahead of what promises to be a very exciting season, with Europa League football on the horizon.

"His excellent campaign with Lille last season meant a number of clubs were pursuing him to secure his services, but we're delighted that Sofiane sees Southampton as the best place for him to continue his development.”