SAINTS have made young Manchester City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu their first major signing of the summer transfer window.

The 20-year-old is also the first acquisition the St Mary’s side have made under new owners Sport Republic, following their takeover of the club in January.

Bazunu has signed a five-year deal to remain with the club until 2027, and will link up with the first-team this month ahead of pre-season.

On signing his deal, the shot-stopper said: “I’m delighted to be here.

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"It’s been in the works for a few weeks and I’m really happy that we’ve got everything over the line, and I’m just excited to see what’s ahead.

“I feel like it’s a place I can come and develop and learn my game. The biggest thing is opportunity – the fact that I can come here and have a chance to play regular football.

"Just to be given that opportunity to fight for my place is the biggest thing that I could’ve asked for.”

The youngster won the player of the year award at bitter rivals Portsmouth while on loan at Fratton Park from Manchester City last season, and could now be given his first Premier League steps.

The club have acted swiftly to replace departing 34-year-old Fraser Forster, who joins Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer at the end of his contract this month.

Bazunu fulfils Ralph Hasenhuttl’s ambition of acquiring a young, high-potential goalkeeper who can push Alex McCarthy for the number one shirt early.

A regular for Manchester City’s successful youth teams, Bazunu never played for the Pep Guardiola’s first-team.

He does already have 10 Irish caps – one in which he saved a penalty from international all-time top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo - and 84 senior games under his belt, across spells with Shamrock Rovers, Rochdale and Portsmouth.

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