Southampton sign Feyenoord's Jordy Clasie for £10.5m to replace Morgan Schneiderlin with Dutch midfielder handed five-year deal

  • Southampton have signed Feyenoord midfielder Jordy Clasie for £12m
  • Dutch international signs a five-year deal to replace Morgan Schneiderlin
  • He is reunited with boss Ronald Koeman after their time at Feyenoord
  • Newcastle United also held an interest but Clasie chose Southampton
  • Premier League transfer news: CLICK HERE for all the latest 

By Oliver Todd for MailOnline

Published: 16:43 EST, 15 July 2015 | Updated: 10:52 EST, 16 July 2015

Southampton have moved quickly to find a replacement for Morgan Schneiderlin by splashing out £10.5million on Feyenoord midfielder Jordy Clasie, who has agreed a five-year contract.

Long-serving French star Schneiderlin completed a £24m move to Manchester United on Monday and Saints boss Ronald Koeman has already found a new man in midfield at less than half the price.

Clasie, 24, was given his Feyenoord debut by Koeman and the pair worked together until the manager departed for the Barclays Premier League last summer.

Southampton have moved quickly to sign a new midfielder with Jordy Clasie arriving from Feyenoord

Southampton have moved quickly to sign a new midfielder with Jordy Clasie arriving from Feyenoord

Morgan Schneiderlin left Southampton for Manchester United in a £24million move but has been replaced

Morgan Schneiderlin left Southampton for Manchester United in a £24million move but has been replaced

Clasie, a £10.5m arrival, will be reunited with his former manager Ronald Koeman in the Premier League

Clasie, a £10.5m arrival, will be reunited with his former manager Ronald Koeman in the Premier League

The Dutch international, who has 11 caps, also attracted interest from Newcastle United but opted for a move to the south coast and a reunion with his former boss instead.

'It feels good to be joining Southampton. It's a nice club, and I'm happy to be here,' Clasie said on Wednesday after signing.

'It's a big club playing in what I think is the biggest and most important league. Ronald being here is a big thing for me and that was important in me coming here, but even if he wasn't here, I'd have come to this club.

'I played every game for him. He's a good trainer and a good man so I like him, but I came here not only for him. I came here for the club.

'I've watched many games of Southampton, and it's felt good when I've watched these games. I hope that I have many good moments and good years here.'

Scouts from Southampton have had an eye on Clasie for months in the knowledge that Schneiderlin would seek a move away from St Mary's should a Champions League club come calling. 

Clasie has been in pre-season training with Feyenoord already but will now join up with his new team-mates

Clasie has been in pre-season training with Feyenoord already but will now join up with his new team-mates

The midfielder, who joins on a five-year contract, was part of Holland's squad at last summer's World Cup

The midfielder, who joins on a five-year contract, was part of Holland's squad at last summer's World Cup

Louis van Gaal wrapped up a deal ahead of United's pre-season tour of the United States on Monday, leaving Koeman to find a replacement.

Southampton executive director of football Les Reed added: 'Jordy is one of the most highly sought-after midfielders in Europe.

'His qualities are plain to see for anybody who has watched his development over the past few years as closely as we have, and we are delighted that he will continue his growth at Southampton.'

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