Wednesday 30 August 2017 18:33, UK
Southampton midfielder Jordy Clasie has completed a loan move to Club Brugge until the end of the season.
The 26-year-old Dutch midfielder, who appeared in 17 Premier League games last season, moved to the south coast two summers ago, following four years at Feyenoord.
Sky Sports news reported that the temporary move was set to be wrapped up earlier on Wednesday and Saints confirmed the transfer later in the day.
Southampton's vice chairman (Football) Les Reed said: "We have an extremely strong and deep group of midfielders, meaning there is significant competition for places in the team.
"We feel it is beneficial to give Jordy the chance to play regular first-team football over the coming months. This move to a strong Club Brugge side will allow him to do that at a high level.
"This is also an opportunity to develop a relationship for the longer term with Club Brugge, one of Europe's top football clubs, who regularly qualify for European competition.
"We will remain in regular contact with Jordy throughout the loan spell and will be closely monitoring his progress and performances during his time in Belgium, as we do with all our loanees.
"We wish Jordy and Club Brugge the very best for the rest of the season and hope to see him help them to another Jupiler Pro League title."
Clasie is a full international but has fallen out of favour at St Mary's and was recently linked with a summer move to fellow Premier League club Crystal Palace.
Clasie has not played for Southampton this season. Saints signed central midfielder Mario Lemina from Juventus earlier in the summer, while Harrison Reed was sent to Norwich on loan.
Mauricio Pellegrino has also signed defenders Jan Bednarek from Lech Poznan and Wesley Hoedt on a five-year deal from Lazio.
