Southampton have completed the signing of centre-back Armel Bella-Kotchap from Bundesliga outfit VfL Bochum.
The 20-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-year contract at St Mary's and is understood to have joined for a fee worth €10m (£8.6m).
Bella-Kotchap become Southampton's third signing of the summer window, after goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu and Mateusz Lis joined the club last week.
Speaking to the club's official website on his arrival at the Saints, Bella-Kotchap said: "It's amazing and I'm delighted to be here. I think, every young player dreams to play in the Premier League and I'm here and I'm happy and thankful for that.
Defender Armel Bella-Kotchap has joined #SaintsFC on a four-year deal from @VfLBochum1848eV ✍️
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) June 21, 2022
"The coach has a big impact on me. We speak the same language and his interest was very big in me. The club convinced me and said they want to make a project with me and I'm ready to go and I will fight for my place."
Head coach Ralph Hasenhuttl added: "I am very pleased that we have been able to secure Armel's signing. He is a player who fits our profile very well and has a huge amount of potential, but with the number of senior games he has already played he can help us immediately.
"I think he has made the perfect choice in wanting to join us and we will now work with him to make sure he reaches his potential both for himself and for the team.
"We already have some very strong options in defence and Armel adds more attributes to that list."
Bella-Kotchap, who has spent his entire senior career with Bochum, was a first-team regular for the German club since their promotion to the Bundesliga in 2020-21, making a total of 49 top-flight appearances.
The Germany Under-21 international made 22 league appearances last season and he now gets the chance to test himself in the Premier League, competing with Mohammed Salisu, Lyanco, Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens for a place in Hansehuttl's first XI.
Bella-Kotchap could make his Southampton debut away against Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the 2022-23 Premier League season on August 6.
Oliver Thomas
