Saints front man lifts lid on former club.
Check in to Southampton FC vs West Ham United
New Southampton striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo has revealed that playing for Southampton is a blessing after his former club Roma made it clear that they wanted him out, Sky Sports reports.
The Italian international completed his shock £15m switch to St Mary’s over the summer and has said that playing football in another country was always something that he wanted to do.
With the latest international break coming so soon after the closure of the transfer window, Saints fans have yet to see what the 27-year-old is capable of, having seen their record signing feature in just one Premier League game so far.
However, he has revealed that he is glad to be away from his former club after saying that a number of Roma’s back room staff, and certain sections of the fans, had began to make his life in the capital difficult.
“I wanted to have an experience abroad and Southampton wanted me from the beginning so I think it has been the right choice for me,” he told reporters.
“In England I’m happy, I’m fine with my new team-mates and the new club. I still have to adapt, and to score goals, but I’m more than happy with my choice.
“It was my decision, although Roma made me understand that I had to go away.
“The normal fans always showed affection for me. There is an element of the fans who love football the wrong way and I could not stay in Rome with people writing nasty messages outside my house.
“I needed peace and quiet, and for this reason I chose England. I don’t regret anything.”
Osvaldo scored 28 goals in 57 appearances for Roma over the course of two seasons, and has previously found form under Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino in their time together in La Liga with Espanyol.
He was the second high-profile player to move from the Serie A side to England this summer, with his former team-mate Erik Lamela joining Tottenham for £30m.