Fakayejo Paul
Porto, Portugal – FC Porto have successfully completed a deal to sign Polish international defender Jan Bednarek from Southampton.
The “here we go!” signal confirms the agreement, with the central defender set to join the Portuguese giants on a four-year contract.
As reported by Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, the transfer fee agreed between the two clubs is €7.5 million (£6.5 million).
This represents a small profit for Southampton, who signed the 29-year-old from Lech Poznan in 2017 for approximately £5 million.
Bednarek’s departure from Southampton was widely anticipated, with the player having been left out of the Saints’ pre-season tour of Spain by head coach Will Still amidst growing expectations of a move.
He made 254 appearances for Southampton during his time at St Mary’s, becoming a consistent figure in their defense, including their return to the Premier League last season where he featured in 30 games.
For FC Porto, Bednarek’s arrival brings significant experience and defensive solidity to their backline.
His extensive time in the Premier League makes him a valuable addition as Porto looks to challenge for the Liga Portugal title and compete in European competitions.
This marks the third major sale for Southampton this month, following the exits of Kamaldeen Sulemana and Paul Onuachu, as the club continues its restructuring efforts.
Meanwhile, Porto are making moves to strengthen their squad, with Bednarek’s signing seen as a key step in their preparations for the upcoming season.