SAINTS midfielder Youssef Safri was today expected to complete his shock transfer to Qatar Sports Club.
The 31-year-old was unveiled as a Qatar player on the club's official website yesterday with pictures of him wearing a yellow and black club scarf.
Qatar SC, who play in the Qatari League in the Middle East country, claim that Safri has joined them on a three-year contract.
But the revelation took Saints by surprise, and a club spokesman told the Echo last night: "No deal has been formally completed yet."
The Echo understands, though, that the transfer should be completed today.
Safri joined Saints for £250,000 from Norwich last August on a two-year contract. He played 37 Championship games in 2007/08, and the only games he missed were due to two suspensions for red cards against Bristol City and QPR and through playing for Morocco in the African Cup of Nations.
He is the sixth senior pro to leave St Mary's in a few days following the release last week of Alex Ostlund, Darren Powell, Inigo Idiakez, Jermaine Wright and Mario Licka.
Though Safri was Saints' main defensive midfielder last season, new head coach Jan Poortvliet has already signed two players who can play in that position. One is the highly-experienced former Plymouth favourite Paul Wotton and the other 18-year-old Frenchman Morgan Schneiderlin.
Saints begin their pre-season friendly programme at Southern League Premier newcomers Farnborough FC tomorrow evening.
For more Saints news don't miss today's Daily Echo.
