SAINTS kicked off their transfer business with the signing of two goalkeepers, with Irish custodian Gavin Bazunu arriving shortly before Polish shot-stopper Mateusz Lis was announced as a Saints player, subject to work permit approval.

Whilst Irish international Bazunu is relatively well-known thanks to representing Manchester City and a loan spell down the road at Fratton Park, Lis arrives from Turkey a relative unknown to Saints fans.

The opportunity to sign Lis only came about thanks to the financial situation at Altay SK, the Pole’s last club.

Whilst Lis had signed a four-year contract with the newly promoted Turkish top-flight side last summer, Altay failed to pay his wages, meaning by April 15, he was owed €175,000.

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The 25-year-old remained at the club until the end of the month as a sign of goodwill, but at the start of May he took the option to terminate the contract, paving the way for the former Polish youth international to join Saints.

Prior to moving to Turkey, Lis represented numerous clubs in Poland, starting off at home town club Promień Żary.

He then continued his youth career at nearby Falubaz Zielona Góra, prior to signing with one of Poland’s biggest clubs, Lech Poznan.

As a 17-year-old, Lis went on trial with then Champions League finalists Atletico Madrid in 2014, although no move materialised.

Whilst with the Polish giants, Lis spent time on loan with lower division sides Miedz Legnica, Podbeskidzie Bielsko-Biała, and Raków Częstochowa .

He helped Raków win the Polish First League, helping the club back into the top flight for the first time in 21 years.

In 2018 he departed to join Ekstraklasa side Wisla Krakow, making 70 appearances across three seasons.

After playing his entire career in his native Poland, Lis then made the decision to join Superlig newcomers Altay SK last summer.

However, the move ended in a nightmarish fashion, as the club fell into financial difficulties.

On the pitch they were unable to stay up, but by the time they had been relegated, Lis had left – as was his right, after the club failed to pay his wages.

On an international level, Lis has represented Poland at under-18, under-19, and under-20 levels, but despite a call-up to the under-21 side in 2019, he did not feature.

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