Paul Onuachu joins Joe Aribo at Southampton after agreeing transfer deadline day switch

SUPER Eagles striker Paul Onuachu joined English Premier League side Southampton on the last day of the January transfer window yesterday after the Saints and his Belgian club Genk agreed on an €18m transfer fee.

 

With this move, Onuachu, 28, who stands at 202cm tall, is now becomes the tallest player in the Premier League. He has surpassed the records of Dan Burn of Newcastle United and Southampton’s Fraser Forster who are both 201 cm tall, narrowly edging the likes of Sasa Kalajdzic (200cm), Asmir Begovi (199cm), Jannik Vestergaard (199cm) and Wout Weghorst (197cm).

 

So far this season, Onuachu has scored with 16 goals in 19 league games for Genk in the Belgian league, making him the top marksman in the country. Joining Southampton where he will now link up with compatriot Joe Aribo, Onuachu is hoping to make his debut this weekend when the Saints are away to Brentford on Saturday.

 

Onuachu spent three-and-a-half years at  Genk during which time he won the Belgian Cup, the golden and ebony shoes and the league's top scorer award. In Onuachu, the Saints get a forward who scored 85 goals in 134 games for Genk and 71 goals in 181 appearances for Danish side FC Midtjylland before then.

 

Southampton manager Nathan Jones, said:  “Paul is a significant signing for us and completes what has been an extremely positive month in terms of recruitment. He’s a handful to play against, has got a tremendous record throughout his career and he’s also someone who brings great experience with him, so he’ll be a really positive addition to the squad.”

 

Onuachu added: “I want to thank everyone who has helped me grow here at Genk. The different coaches, the technical staff and of course the supporters. I wish the club the best for the future.

 

"It is my greatest wish that they can take the title. Genk will always be my home, wherever I go.”

 

Adding that he believes the Premier league is the best in the world, Onuachu signed a three-and-a-half year deal with Southampton . He said he hopes to repay the confidence Southampton, who are at the foot of the table, has shown in him, by bringing something different to the table.

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