RECORD signing Sofiane Boufal has been labelled a “quality” addition who will be a vital boost to Saints after his stunning St Mary’s debut strike.

Boufal, who was signed for £16m from Lille in the summer, marked his arrival at St Mary’s with a wonderful goal against Sunderland in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night on his first start for the club.

Claude Puel praised the Morocco international, while Saints’ players posted on social media their salutes to the new boy.

James Ward-Prowse has seen what the tricky attacker has to offer in training, and now on the pitch, and knows there is more to come from the club’s new mercurial talent.

“I think he will be [important],” he said. “The club’s paid the money they have because they think he’s a good player.

“We’ve seen bits of him in training. He’s obviously still getting his fitness and match sharpness after his long term injury.

“There’s definitely more to come from him. We have to make sure we help him along the way and help him settle in.

“But you can see the quality that he’s got. I’m sure he’ll only get better from here.”

The fact that Boufal has started to find his feet, after he was sidelined with a knee injury in the first few months of his Saints career, will be a big lift.

With the club battling on three fronts in the Premier League, Europa League and EFL Cup, Boufal, 23, injects energy and a new dynamic at a busy time.

“It’s part of the level we’re at now,” said Ward-Prowse. “We’re one of the top teams in the Premier League.

“We want to be in the best competi- tions and winning as many things as we can, so there’s going to be an array of games.

“The manager’s made changes. He’s brought in young players. We’ve had different things to face and we’ve stood up to them well so far.”

The 21-year-old hailed Puel’s management style that allows players to thrive under his command.

“Every player goes out on the pitch knowing that the manager’s behind them,” he said. “He’s putting you out on the pitch for a reason.

“It’s especially pleasing to see academy players, seeing the young lads come through.”

Boufal, who will be hoping for his first Premier League start against Chelsea on Sunday, will give Puel op- tions in attack. He can play as a number 10 behind the forwards as he did on Wednesday or as a striker.