Fulham sign Southampton duo: Lemina joins on loan and Reed stays permanently

Fulham have signed Southampton outcast Mario Lemina on a season-long loan deal and completed the €9 million 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. 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. The loan fee reportedly amounts to €2.2 million.

“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.” Lemina joined Southampton from Juventus in a €17.3 million deal in 2017, but his last Saints appearance was back in May 2019. The former France U21 international is now relishing the chance to work with boss Parker at Fulham.