SUMMER signing Maxwel Cornet insists he has arrived at Saints with the "same feeling" he had first stepping foot in England three years ago.

Cornet, who turned 28 on Friday, signed for Premier League outfit Burnley from French Ligue 1 side Lyon in August 2021.

The Ivorian international justified his £12.5million price tag with nine goals in 26 matches but was unable to maintain Turf Moor's status as a top-flight ground.

Burnley's relegation meant Cornet switched to West Ham United permanently, earning the Clarets a small profit in the process.

But it has been difficult for Cornet since then, although he still raises a smile when reminded of a brace he netted at St Mary's in October 2021. 

"I remember the game here at the Saints stadium. I scored one with the head and one with the shot," he told the Daily Echo.

Maxwel Cornet could make a first Premier League start for Saints at AFC BournemouthMaxwel Cornet could make a first Premier League start for Saints at AFC Bournemouth (Image: Stuart Martin)

"I will try to do it now for Southampton. I had confidence in myself to come here and show what I can do in the Premier League. That's what I try to do. 

"I'm in the same feeling as when I first signed for Burnley. I had a tough moment in West Ham with my injuries but now it's behind me.

"I'm ready to go again and give the maximum I can to help my teammates and the club. I really want to do the maximum I can for the lads and everyone."

Cornet added: "I think for me, it's a great opportunity to come here to Southampton and try to help the team the best as possible.

"Deadline day was a tough day, a long day for me. Everything was okay at the last minute, so after that, I was really happy to join this club."

Saints had to wait until more than an hour after the deadline in August before they got confirmation that Cornet's season-long loan was official.

He only scored once in 37 appearances for the Hammers across two campaigns but manager Russell Martin wanted a different profile of attacker.

"I just spoke with him and he said he likes the things I can bring to help the team," Cornet revealed, having spoken first in the final week of the window. 

"I can play on the left wing or right wing. It doesn't matter. The most important thing is to be aware of what the coach says and just do the maximum on the pitch.

"I like to ask for the ball between the defenders and in the channel. I try to be as maximum as possible in front of the goal to receive.

"We never know the cross is going to come or even when the goalkeeper releases the ball. We just need to be here to finish." 

A complex injury to the soleus muscle in the calf kept Cornet sidelined for five months during his first season in London - and Saints will need to keep him fit.

But it was not all bad for Cornet under David Moyes. He set up five goals on their way to winning the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2023.

Recounting that experience, Cornet said: "It was incredible, to be fair, because we were actually in trouble in the Premier League.

"To win this trophy was good for the confidence of the guys and we did well. To be fair, it was an amazing moment for us."

Cornet will hope to put his experiences good and bad to use at St Mary's as Martin's side look to beat the drop back into the Championship. 

"For me personally, and I think for the club as well, the target is just to do everything to stay in the Premier League," he insisted. 

"They did well last season to come up and the best thing to do is to stay in the Premier League and show the quality that the lads have.

"There are young players here but talented players. They deserve to play in the Premier League so we will fight for that, to stay in the Premier League."