Southampton manager Mark Hughes has claimed that Danny Ings has joined the "perfect club" at this stage of his career following his deadline-day move from Liverpool.
Ings completed an initial loan switch to St Mary's which will be made permanent for £16m next summer, ending an injury-plagued spell at Anfield which saw him limited to only six Premier League starts in the past three years.
The move sees the 26-year-old join his boyhood club, and Hughes is confident that it will prove to be a good deal for both parties.
"We got to the point where it was a win-win situation for both clubs and, more importantly, for Danny as well because he's come to a club he's clearly got a lot of affection for and maybe a point to prove," Hughes told reporters.
"We're the perfect club for him at this point in his career. I think whenever you have a player who has a real feeling for the club that he's playing for and a special connection and an empathy, I think that makes a difference.
"I think fans respond to that as well. I would imagine the first time Danny walks out in a Southampton kit there's going to be a huge reception for him."
Hughes also confirmed that Ings is available to make his debut during Sunday's season-opener against former club Burnley.
Barney Corkhill
