Fulham have tonight confirmed the capture of Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina on a season-long loan.

The Gabonese international, who spent last season on loan at Galatasaray, had been told by Ralph Hassenhuttl that he had no prospect of breaking into the Southampton first team and the deal includes an option to make the transfer a permanent one. Lemina, who came through the ranks at Lorient before moving on to Marseilles, has also starred for Juventus, whom he helped win back-to-back Serie A titles and reach the Champions’ League final in 2017.

He told Fulham’s official website:

Now I’m with Fulham, I’m really happy and I’m glad to be part of the project. I spoke with the manager and he’s got some good ideas about the team, about the project, about everything he wants to do this season, and I’m happy to be a part of it.

The 26 year-old becomes Scott Parker’s second summer signing after Antonee Robinson joined from Wigan last week for £2m.