Wesley Hoedt admits joining Southampton was a 'mistake'

Dutch defender Wesley Hoedt has said that joining Premier League side Southampton back in 2017 was a mistake for his career.

The 25-year-old was signed by the Saints from Lazio for £15m two years ago, ostensibly as a replacement for Virgil van Dijk, but failed to settle at St Mary's, spending time on loan with Celta Vigo last season.

Hoedt made 10 appearances in Spain and he is now on loan at Belgian side Royal Antwerp, where he has started in two of the club's victories already this season.

Speaking to Sport/Foot Magazine, the Dutchman has said that the move now feels like a mistake after Ralph Hasenhuttl told him that he would not be getting another chance to impress at the club.

Hoedt said: "I trained hard for six weeks, but it was for nothing. After another chat with him [Hasenhuttl], I decided to prove my worth elsewhere.

"I made a mistake [leaving Lazio]. I had a five-year contract with them. After two years, they offered to extend it for another five, with better conditions."

Antwerp, who also boast former Premier League players Ritchie de Laet, Kevin Mirallas and Dieumerci Mbokani among their ranks, do have the option to make Hoedt's move a permanent one at the end of the season.