SAINTS have moved to confirm Mario Lemina’s previously announced transfer to OGC Nice and thanked the midfielder following a four-year spell under contract with the club.

The French Ligue One side had already announced the capture of the 27-year-old Gabonese international on Saturday afternoon, but almost 48 hours later Saints have confirmed the deal is actually completed.

It is thought crucial paperwork hadn’t actually gone through until today, hence the delay from the south-coast club.

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OGC Nice confirm transfer of Saints midfielder Mario Lemina

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Lemina had sent a farewell message to fans shortly after Nice’s announcement, and in a statement on the club website Saints have wished their former player well, saying: “The club would like to thank Mario for his service and wish him all the best for the future.”

The Athletic had earlier reported that Saints and Nice had agreed a fee around 5.5m euros plus bonuses, a far-cry from the £15m paid to Juventus in 2017.

Lemina played 46 Premier League games for Saints between 2017-2019 but spent the last two seasons on loan at Galatasaray and Fulham and hasn’t featured since.