SAINTS midfielder Romeo Lavia has thanked everybody at the club for his first season as a senior professional footballer, saying: “You just want to give back to them.”

The 19 year old Belgian prodigy is among the favourites to win the Southern Daily Echo’s Player of the Season in what has been a disappointing year for the club.

Lavia, who is now a full international, has been a standout performer despite relegation from the Premier League being confirmed with two games still to play.

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The former Anderlecht youngster joined from Manchester City last summer despite being well-liked by Pep Guardiola and Kevin De Bruyne in order to play men’s football for the first time.

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He faces an uncertain future with interest from the big six clubs in England, while Man City have a buy-back clause that only activates next summer – that is the club’s best chance of keeping him.

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Lavia, speaking to club media for the most recent matchday programme, said: “First of all, I’m really, really grateful that Southampton gave me the chance to have my first step in professional football.

“Looking back, I’m really happy to have made this step here. I’ve enjoyed it so far. I’ve learned so much about the club, and honestly, I feel like part of a family.

“I know most of the people around the building, and you just want to give back to them for everything they do for you during the week, and the whole year really, so that gives me the motivation to give my all for the rest of the season.”

Lavia spoke to the Daily Echo in his first month at St Mary’s and gave good insight into the mentality that has taken him this far.

“I don’t feel the pressure, if there is any pressure I think it is always positive as it means people expect something from you. It’s always a positive,” he told us.

“It wasn’t a hard decision (to leave Manchester City for Saints), not really, because I felt ready to make the next step and to get experience in men’s football. I feel like it was the right moment.

“I think just by training with the first-team at Man City, I was speaking to a lot of the first-team players and had a good connection with them. They were telling me that I was ready to play and it was up to me to move up.”