Romeu: 'I feel lucky to be back' | OneFootball

Oriol Romeu has returned to Southampton after three seasons in Spain with the midfielder signing a contract until the end of the season.

The 34-year-old has been without a club since leaving Barcelona in the summer after having spent last season on loan at Girona where he played 31 times.

"I'm really happy, really excited. I'm willing to help from the first day," Romeu said on returning to the club where he spent seven years previously.

"In all aspects, I feel lucky to be back, and I feel also motivated to push as much as I can.

In total, Romeu played 256 times for the Saints, also chipping in with eight games.

"I've felt just around the club and even around the city how much respect and love I'm getting. It's special. There is nothing else than gratitude to that and also the willingness to give them back that love with good games, with good performances, with professionalism, respect. That's my goal right now, because when you have that reaction from everyone, it just says a lot and you just want to give it back.

"The fact that I'm coming back probably speaks by itself. I was happy here. I enjoyed my period at the club. I grew as a player and as a person. It made me more mature in all aspects of life. Now that I've had also another experience back in my home country, being able to come back here, which I also feel like home in a way, it's great. This club has had a real impact in myself. The feeling is, as long as I can, I want to help and I want to be involved because I feel like I owe something to them as well."

Southampton earned all three points last time out, winning 2-1 away to Queens Park Rangers in the Saints' first game since Will Still's sacking.

Should he be fit enough, Romeu could potentially make his second debut for the club on Saturday at home to Sheffield Wednesday.