SAINTS forward Paul Onuachu has officially completed a season-long loan switch to Turkish side Trabzonspor.

The 29 year old departs from the south coast on loan less than a year since his £18million arrival in January.

Signed by Nathan Jones just before the Welshman was sacked, the Nigerian international is yet to score a single goal for Southampton.

He only managed to play 404 minutes across 11 games in the Premier League and has seen his game time limited further since the arrival of Russell Martin.

Onuachu's only appearance this season came as a substitute in Southampton's EFL Cup defeat against League Two side Gillingham.

The six-foot-six striker also failed to feature in the squad for any of Saints' first five Championships fixtures. 

Onuachu was greeted by a mass of Trabzonspor supporters upon his arrival at Trabzon airport.

Speaking to Trabzonspor's club media, Onuachu said: "You could see the welcome from the fans at the airport yesterday, it was crazy.

"It made me think 'OK, this is really a football city.' I'm really happy they came because it shows that they give a lot of support to the players here in Trabzon.

"It's something you really don't see anywhere else."

Trabzonspor, who also have the likes of Nicolas Pepe and Trézéguet amongst their squad, finished sixth in the Turkish Super Lig last season as they failed to retain their title.

The 2021-22 Turkish champions also signed fellow January signing Mislav Orsic from Saints earlier in the summer before the Croatian international suffered a serious injury in training.

Onuachu becomes the second player to depart following the close of the English transfer window after Moussa Djenepo's permanent return to Standard Liege.

A statement on the club's website added: "The club wishes Paul good luck for the remainder of the season.