Oriol Romeu has returned to Southampton after three seasons in Spain, with the midfielder signing a contract until the end of the season.
The 34-year-old has been without a club since leaving Barcelona in the summer after having spent last season on loan at Girona where he played 31 times.
"I'm really happy, really excited. I'm ready to help from day one," Romeu said on returning to the club where he previously spent seven years.
"In all aspects, I feel fortunate to be back, and I'm also motivated to push as much as I can.
In total, Romeu played 256 times for the Saints, also chipping in with eight goals.
"I've felt just around the club and even around the city how much respect and love I'm getting. It's special. There is nothing but gratitude for that, and also the desire to return that love with good games, good performances, and professionalism, respect. That's my goal right now, because when you receive that kind of reaction from everyone, it says a lot and you just want to give back.
"The fact that I'm coming back probably speaks for itself. I was happy here. I enjoyed my time at the club. I grew as a player and as a person. It made me more mature in all aspects of life. Now that I've had another experience back in my home country, being able to come back here, which feels like home in a way, it's great. This club has had a real impact on me. The feeling is, as long as I can, I want to help and I want to be involved because I feel like I owe something to them as well."
Southampton earned all three points last time out, winning 2-1 away at Queens Park Rangers in the Saints' first game since Will Still's dismissal.
Should he be fit enough, Romeu could potentially make his second debut for the club on Saturday at home against Sheffield Wednesday.
