Far from Ralph Hasenhüttl’s plans at Southampton, Wesley Hoedt desperately needed to find himself a new club to play regular minutes this season.
He chose Royal Antwerp last year to do that, but things were a bit tougher this time around, having to wait until the very end of the transfer window to get a move away from St Mary’s.
Eventually, Lazio, his former club, came knocking, and a loan deal was organised, seeing the Dutchman return to Italy, where he was originally signed from in 2017.
It took some time, but the player was finally presented to the media on Thursday, where he talked about how the move came about in the first place.
“I know there are some who have doubts about me, but I’ll give everything for this shirt and for the fans. I was wrong to leave. I’m the first to admit it, but every now and then, you are wrong in life. I am happy that I can change everything now”.
It’s fair to say his decision to swap Lazio for Southampton in the first place hasn’t actually helped his career, making just 45 appearances in a Saints shirt during his time at the club.
He’s now put that behind him, it seems, and with an option to buy in the deal, he’s got something to work towards to ensure he doesn’t have to return to England in the future.
