Newly-promoted Fulham sign Mario Lemina from Southampton

Newly-promoted Fulham new addition Mario Lemina. Photo: Fulham Football Club

Fulham have signed Southampton outcast Mario Lemina on a season-long loan deal and completed the £8million permanent signing of Harrison Reed.

The 26-year-old Lemina spent the bulk of last term on loan at Galatasaray, but will now return to Premier League action with newly-promoted Fulham.

Midfielder Reed helped Fulham win the Championship play-off final while on loan from Southampton last term, and has now completed his permanent Craven Cottage switch on a four-year deal.

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This message is for GALATASARAY The fans because they gave me everything to be part of this family. So thank you very much I will never forget it And also to the GALATASARAY players , my friends , the staff and the coach Fatih Terim . I wish you all the best and I will be a big fan of you for the next seasons . Thank you a lot 😘 @galatasaray

A post shared by 🄼🄰🅁🄸🄾 🃏 🄻🄴🄼🄸🄽🄰 (@lemsm13) on Aug 30, 2020 at 2:25pm PDT

Lemina’s deal contains an option for a permanent move for the Gabon international at the end of the loan agreement.

Director of football operations Tony Khan revealed Fulham’s management team have tracked Lemina for some time.

“Mario Lemina has top-flight experience throughout Europe, including in the Premier League, and I’m very excited to announce his arrival on loan,” said Khan.

“I chose to pursue Mario this summer because in our recruitment conferences he’s been highly rated by our scouting team and our head coach Scott Parker, and our statistical research team.

“I believe he will thrive for our club under Scott’s coaching and leadership.”

I’m excited to announce @LeminaM_13’s arrival at @FulhamFC on loan! I pursed Mario for our squad because he’s rated highly by our scouts + Head Coach Scott Parker + our statistical research team, & I believe he’ll thrive for us under Scott’s coaching & leadership. Come on Fulham! pic.twitter.com/gsQm1MjqzU
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) August 30, 2020

Lemina joined Southampton from Juventus in an £18million deal in 2017, but his last Saints appearance was back in May 2019.

The former France Under-21 international is relishing the chance to work with boss Parker at Fulham.

“Now I’m with Fulham, I’m really happy and I’m glad to be part of the project,” said Lemina.