“I made an effort” – Player reveals he cut ‘ridiculously high salary’ to ensure Southampton exit

Former Southampton defender Wesley Hoedt has revealed he’s cut his wages significantly in order to secure a move to Anderlecht.

The Dutch defender departed Southampton at the beginning of this month, making a return to Belgium to link up with Vincent Kompany.

The move has brought about an end to a four-year association with the Saints, who he joined from Lazio in August 2017.

The last two years of his time at Southampton saw him spending time out on loan, first in Spain with Celta Vigo, then Royal Antwerp in Belgium and lastly Lazio in Italy last year.

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A return to Belgium for a second spell came as something of a surprise, with the Jupiler Pro League hardly among the most competitive or best-paying divisions in the world, particularly compared to the Premier League and Italy.

And it seems Hoedt has had to make some sacrifices to secure the move, which he revealed in an interview with DH.

 “The club paid me my fair value,” he told them.

“I played in England and had a ridiculously high salary. I was paid at this rate for five years.

“I watered my wine, and I made an effort. Otherwise, my transfer would not have been possible. “