Lazio director Igli Tare is convinced that the Serie A giants have made a ‘great purchase’ with Wesley Hoedt, who is thrilled to return for a second spell after a disastrous stint at Southampton (TMW).
If you are searching for a transfer deal which suits every party down to the ground, look no further than this one.
Three years after swapping Lazio for Southampton in a £15 million deal which promised much but delivered little, Hoedt was packing his bags and heading back to his old digs at the Stadio Olimpico.
The Dutch international rapidly fell out of favour in England once Ralph Hasenhuttl took over in late-2018. Looking back, Hoedt is mature enough to admit that he should have never left Lazio for an ill-fated English adventure in the first place.
“A few weeks ago the coach called me, we talked about various things. (Simone) Inzaghi was very important in my choice, he asked me to come back,” says the former AZ Alkmaar stopper, who has put those previous disagreements with the Lazio boss behind him.
“I know there are doubts about me, but I will give everything for this shirt and for the fans.
“I made a mistake in leaving, I’m the first to admit it, but every now and then he makes a mistake in life. I’m happy that now I can change everything.”
Lazio’s highly-rated sporting director certainly believes Hoedt can make a success of his second spell in baby blue, especially after building up his confidence during an impressive run of form out on loan at Royal Antwerp last season.
“We were looking for a central defender who knew the way to play, our mentality and Italian language. Among various options we chose him after talking with the boy,” Tare explained.
“I know there have been question marks about his arrival but I am convinced that it will be a great purchase for us and will bring enthusiasm.”
Southampton, meanwhile, will just be happy to get a high-earning fringe player off their wage bill at last.
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