Ugochukwu reveals real reason for joining Aribo and Onuachu at Southampton on loan from Chelsea

New Southampton signing Lesley Chimuanya Ugochukwu says he decided to join Southampton, a team that pays the bill of his two Nigerian brothers, Joe Aribo and Paul Onuachu, because of the Saints’ style of play.

Ugochukwu, who holds dual nationality, Nigeria and France, and is the nephew of former Rennes and Nigeria centre-back Onyekachi Apam, believes he is joining a team ‘that suits his style of play’ and has promised he’ll give everything for the fans of the club.

He completed a season-long loan switch to Southampton from Chelsea, the club he joined last August on a seven-year deal.

“I’m very excited. I can’t wait to see the lads and see the fans, see the stadium. I’m so excited.

“I’ll give everything to the fans. I’ll show you guys my love, because you guys will also show us love this season, I’m pretty sure. So, I’ll do everything, and this season we’ll do everything to win a lot of games and to stay in the league and make you guys happy and make us happy,’ he told the club’s website.

Ugochukwu says the club’s style of play he watched last season under manager Russell Martin was a factor in his decision to come to the south coast.

“It suits me a lot,” he said. “I like to have the ball. I saw what the team did last season. Very possession-based team, that’s what I like, and I think it suits me a lot.

‘I think the Premier League is the best league in the world. Every player wants to come over here and play. I had some games last season. This season with the lads, I’m pretty sure that we will do great things. I’ll learn from them, and I hope they will learn from me as well,” he said.