RALPH Hasenhuttl explained how a promise to Tino Livramento that he would "immediately play" swung his decision to join Saints.

The Hampshire club fought off competition to snap up the highly-rated 18-year-old from Chelsea over the summer for around £5million.

And he has proven to be a revelation at Saints, starting every Premier League game so far, dislodging former undisputed first choice right-back Kyle Walker-Peters.

It has been a baptism of fire at times for Livramento given the tricky nature of Saints' start to the campaign, highlighted by the fact he was in direct competition against £100million man Jack Grealish at Manchester City on Saturday.

But the teenager again held his own in the 0-0 draw, before cramping up towards the end and being forced off with five minutes to play.

And Hasenhuttl explained how conversations between the pair over the summer saw the Londoner make the move to the south coast.

Asked if he expected Livramento to be at the level he is so soon into his Saints career, Hasenhuttl said: "This was the argument I sent him when I was talking to him, that he will immediately play when he comes to us.

"I think this was something he in the end (used) to decide then to come to us.

"There was Kyle Walker-Peters on this position and Kyle is now on the left side, so that tells you everything.

"Kyle was also a very important player last season here. He had to change on the left side.

"There he plays a fantastic game also I must say.

"Fantastic from Kyle that he does this switch so quick and so good. Everybody is at the moment in a good shape and we have a good mentality in the group.

"Results like on Saturday help us massively. A win would be better, sure. But we take the point. It feels like to be unbeaten in this stadium is good for us."

Discussing Livramento specifically, Hasenhuttl added: "I must say I am super happy with this guy. Yes he was a little bit running out of energy in the end (on Saturday), but he shows every week how strong he is.

"When you play against such players you have to be good and one against one he is, definitely.

"Physically he is a good guy, a good height for a full-back, fantastic player. Keep it calm, don’t speak too much about him!"