Rodriguez signs for Saints

His characteristics are what we have been looking for, says Adkins

Last Updated: June 10, 2012 6:09pm

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Jay Rodriguez: Looking forward to a Premier League challenge after joining Southampton from Burnley

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Jay Rodriguez has become Southampton's first signing since the club's return to the Premier League after making a record-breaking move from Burnley.

The 22-year-old has penned a four-year contract at St Mary'safter joining for a reported £7million - breaking the Saints' transfer record.

The England Under-21 international, who scored 21 goals for the Clarets last season, was part of theBurnley side that won promotion to the Premier League in 2009 but did not featured once in their top-flight campaign.

That's a frustration Rodriguez is keen to put behind him and he is thrilled by the opportunity to shine with the Saints.

Rodriguez told Southampton's official club website: "I'm really relieved that we've got it sorted now and it's done. I really can't wait for the start of the season, and the start of pre-season.

"This is a great club, a massive club and they're where they belong. It's a squad I want to be a part of and it's really exciting."

Exciting

The signing represents a significant chunk of Southampton's summer transfer budget and manager Nigel Adkins is delighted by his first addition.

Adkins said: "Jay is an exciting young English prospect, so I am really happy he is our first signing of the summer.

"He is an excellent forward thinking player who has already scored a lot of goals at a young age over the past couple of years.

"His characteristics are what we have been looking for."