On the fifth anniversary of Marcus Liebherr completing his takeover of the club, Saints have celebrated by making the first new signing of another new era.
Dusan Tadic has completed his move from FC Twente in Holland to Southampton Football Club in a move that although undisclosed is thought to be around the £10 million mark.
He joins on the fifth anniversary of Marcus Liebherr's takeover of Saints, ironically back then we were more worried about whether we would have a football club to support in the forthcoming season than now when some supporters are complaining that we have sold 3 players for drastically inflated fee's.
The arrival of Tadic signals the start of a new era at Saints and the Serbian arrives on the back of a big reputation in the Dutch league, last season his 16 goals made him the fourth highest scorer in the Eredivisie for Twente and added to that he had the most assists in the division with 14, on paper he is more than an adequate replacement for Adam Lallana and at less than half the price.
Tadic also has extensive experience for his country having won 25 caps the same number as his age coincidentally enough.
This is the signing that Saints fans have been waiting for, it signals that the new era is beginning and that although Saints have lost several players and may lose one or two more, that they are not a selling club but an evolving one that is prepared to re invest its income from transfers.
Of course the real proof of the pudding will be in the eating, but it has to be said that the manager is looking good so far and is looking to spend the money he has wisely rather than throwing it around.
Welcome Dusan Tadic and let us hope this signals the start of an era that matches the last five for excitement, it is just a pity that the man who made it all possible is no longer alive to see it.