Former Southampton defender Romain Perraud recently shared his positive thoughts about the club despite his departure this summer. The 26-year-old Frenchman made a permanent move to Real Betis in Spain, even though Southampton earned promotion back to the Premier League.
During the 2023/24 season, Perraud was on loan at OGC Nice, where he faced challenges in getting playing time. Despite making 60 appearances for Saints, Perraud sensed his time at the club was coming to an end during a match against Gillingham under manager Russell Martin.
In an interview with The Athletic, Perraud expressed his gratitude towards Saints fans and clarified his decision to leave. He emphasized that he did not have a relationship with manager Russell Martin and did not want to benefit from the club’s promotion to the Premier League.
Perraud reflected on his time at Southampton, highlighting how he sustained a foot injury towards the end of his second season, which influenced his departure. The arrival of a new full-back from Swansea under Martin’s management signaled to Perraud that it was time for him to seek a new direction.
Even before Southampton secured their promotion through a play-off final victory against Leeds United, Perraud was already considering his exit. His agent informed him of interest from other clubs, leading him to make the decision to leave in a positive manner.
Despite leaving Southampton, Perraud only has positive memories of his time at the club. He appreciated the support from fans and the good relationship he had with the team. Perraud continued to follow Southampton’s progress, including their playing style and their successful return to the Premier League.
Overall, Perraud’s departure from Southampton was amicable, allowing him to move on to a new chapter in his career while maintaining respect and admiration for the club that he once called home.