Ireland international Ryan Manning signs four-year deal with Southampton
Ryan Manning has joined Southampton from Swansea City.
Ireland left wing-back Ryan Manning has signed for Southampton after leaving his contract with Swansea City expire.
The Galwegian signs a four-year deal to become Russell Martin‘s first signing as Saints boss.
Manning will link up with Republic of Ireland international teammates Gavin Bazunu and Will Smallbone at St Mary’s as they look to bounce straight back up to the Premier League.
Russell Martin welcomes Manning to Southampton.
Russell Martin said: “Firstly, he’s a brilliant character. He’s got a real edge to him. He’s got a fantastic personality, a lot of energy and was a really important member of our group at Swansea, not just on the pitch but off it as well.
“In terms of on the pitch, he’s an outstanding footballer who has a brilliant understanding of what we want.
“He played in a few positions for us previously, and he’s coming here as a left-back because he ended up performing as one of the best left-backs in the division last year.
“We’ve beaten competition from two clubs in the Premier League for him, which I’m really pleased about, because I thought the lure of that would make it difficult for us, but he’s come here because he knows the work and he believes in it.”
Ryan Manning.
Manning, who joined QPR shortly after getting 555 points in his Leaving Cert, has racked up more than 200 apperances in the Championship.
His best performances, however, came last season with Swansea as he contributed five goals and ten assists.
This next move puts him on the right path towards Premier League football, where he no doubt sees his future:
“I’m absolutely delighted to be here,” beamed Manning. I’m over the moon and I can’t wait to get started.
“It’s a massive club, been in the Premier League for so many years, and I’m just excited about the challenge of getting it back there.
“With the gaffer coming here, knowing his style of football and how he wants his team to play, it felt like a perfect fit for me where the club and the manager lined up.
“You’re coming to a Premier League football club that’s in the Championship, so the ambition is promotion and nothing else, and that’s exactly what I was looking for as the next move in my career.
“I think it’s the perfect club for me to come to, the ambition is massive and everyone as a collective is working towards getting back to the Premier League.”
