GAVIN BAZUNU last night sealed a loan move to Standard Liege.
Bazunu, 22, flew to Belgium yesterday in a bid to secure regular football between now and the end of the season.
Gavin Bazzunu has signed for Standard Liege on loan[/caption]
The former Shamrock Rovers star has yet to feature for Southampton’s first team since recovering from an Achilles injury he suffered last season.
And there was little prospect of him dislodging Aaron Ramsdale with the Saints locked in an increasingly-desperate fight against relegation.
There was significant interest in the Ireland international but Standard jumped to the top of the queue as they looked to solve a problem position for them.
Laurent Heinkert – in only his fourth game back after knee surgery – was forced off at half-time of their 1-1 draw with Cercle Brugge on Saturday.
He was replaced by Matthieu Epolo who is only just back from a hamstring strain.
That prompted Standard Director of Football Fergal Harkin – who knew Bazunu from their time at Manchester City where he was football partnerships and pathways manager – to swoop.
Bazunu said: “I’m glad to be here and ready for the new challenge.”
He is the second Ireland keeper to move on loan this window with Mark Travers making his Middlesbrough debut in last night’s 3-2 defeat to Sunderland after joining from Bournemouth.
That could leave Heimir Hallgrímsson with a decision to make with no 1 Caoimhín Kelleher behind Alisson in the pecking order at Liverpool.
