Adam Lallana seals emotional free transfer after leaving Brighton

ADAM LALLANA has completed an emotional return to boyhood club Southampton.

The former England midfielder has penned a one-year contract with Saints after his Brighton deal expired this month.

GettyAdam Lallana has sealed a stunning return to boyhood club Southampton[/caption]

The midfielder was a free agent after leaving south coast rivals BrightonGetty

And it means Lallana, 36, will remain in the Premier League for at least 12 more months after Southampton booked their top-flight return by winning the Championship play-off final against Leeds.

Lallana first joined Saints in 2000 as a youth player and ended up scoring 60 goals in 265 outings.

The ace says he can’t wait to pull on the red-and-white jersey again, with his technical prowess making him an ideal fit for Russell Martin’s possession system.

And Lallana, who also had spells at Bournemouth and Liverpool, reckons he has unfinished business at St Mary’s after his 2014 exit to Anfield.

The veteran, who admitted he was a regular face at the club during his Brighton years for family reasons, said: “I’ve been no stranger – my son’s at the Academy, so I’m in and around it quite a bit, but I’ve not been this close to being home, so it’s amazing.

“It does feel surreal, but it’s an opportunity I’m extremely grateful for and I’m looking forward to.

“When I started speaking to Russell and understood there was a little bit of interest, it was something I knew straightaway felt right in my head and in my heart that it was something I needed to pursue, and it came through in the end.

“I’m extremely happy to come back to where it all started. Although it sounds like a bit of a fairy tale, in my head there’s still a job to do and I’m really confident I’ve still got a lot to give to this football club.”

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New boss Martin added: “I’m delighted that we could bring Adam back home to where it all began for him.

“Adam has the DNA of this club running through him and brings vital experience as we prepare for the Premier League.

“We’re going to need everyone to play a part again this coming season and Adam helps us create real depth and know-how in midfield.”

Following his first eight years at Southampton, Lallana secured a £25million move to Liverpool in 2014.

He scored 22 goals in 178 games for the Reds while winning the Premier League, Champions League and Club World Cup.

But injuries limited him to just 40 league appearances in his last three seasons at Anfield.

And Lallana ended up moving to Brighton on a free transfer in 2020.

He scored four goals in 104 games for the Seagulls, helping them secure Europa League football last year.

But Lallana’s contract was not renewed, allowing him to seal a stunning return to Southampton.