George Long secures permanent Southampton return and could see more chances next season | OneFootball

George Long has joined Southampton on a permanent deal to provide back-up to Daniel Peretz next season, after the club wrapped up early business that also secured Cyle Larin.

According to Sainstmarching.com, Peretz will be first choice after recording nine clean sheets last season despite only arriving in January, with Alex McCarthy and Jamie Jones set to depart and Gavin Bazunu out of favour among supporters.

Long was on loan from Norwich City last term and his return had been widely expected, offering low-cost cover if Peretz suffers an injury and removing him from the Canaries’ wage bill.

There are, however, questions over whether the 32-year-old would cope with promotion pressure if thrust in, given struggles at Carrow Road. Early in 2025/26 he was used as Norwich’s number one before moving to Southampton, making nine Championship appearances without a clean sheet, after only one the previous season.

For Southampton he featured once last term, playing the full 120 minutes of February’s FA Cup tie against Leicester City, a 2-1 win in which he faced 17 shots and conceded once.

The former England under-20 international has two EFL promotions on his CV and appears content with a squad role at St Mary’s. It is not a flashy signing, but it fits a pragmatic plan as next season’s group takes shape.

Source: Sainstmarching.com