Leo Scienza responds as Oriel Romeu addresses ‘new chapter’ following Southampton departure.

Oriol Romeu Begins a Fresh Adventure After Southampton Exit

Former Southampton favorite Oriol Romeu has officially started the next phase of his playing career after securing a move to Japan, bringing an emotional close to his second spell at St Mary’s. The experienced midfielder, who remains a hugely respected figure among Southampton supporters and players alike, has joined J-League side Avispa Fukuoka ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Although his return to Southampton last season produced only a handful of appearances, Romeu’s influence stretched far beyond what happened on the pitch. His professionalism, leadership and wealth of experience made him an important figure behind the scenes, something highlighted by the reaction from current Saints winger Leo Scienza after the transfer was confirmed.

Romeu’s First Southampton Spell Left a Lasting Legacy

Romeu originally joined Southampton from Chelsea in a bargain deal worth around £5 million and quickly established himself as one of the club’s most dependable midfielders. While he rarely grabbed headlines, his consistency and defensive intelligence made him a vital member of the Saints squad during one of the club’s strongest Premier League periods.

Across several successful seasons, Romeu helped Southampton achieve impressive league finishes, including sixth place in the 2015/16 campaign and eighth the following season. He also played a significant role during the club’s memorable run to the FA Cup final, becoming one of the most reliable players in the squad.

Over the course of his first spell, he accumulated more than 250 appearances, earning admiration from supporters through his commitment, work ethic and loyalty before eventually departing in 2022.

Return to Spain Led to Barcelona Opportunity

Following his departure from Southampton, Romeu returned to Spain to join Girona, where his performances quickly attracted attention. His excellent displays earned him a dream move back to Barcelona, the club where he had spent part of his youth career before moving to England many years earlier.

Although returning to Barcelona represented a special moment in his career, his second spell at the Catalan giants proved relatively brief. After leaving the Spanish club, Romeu found himself searching for a new challenge before Southampton decided to bring him back to St Mary’s.

His return came shortly after managerial changes at the club, with Southampton announcing his arrival just four days after Will Still’s departure from the dugout.

Competition Limited His Second Spell

Despite the excitement surrounding Romeu’s return, opportunities on the field proved extremely limited. Southampton possessed significant depth in central midfield, making it difficult for the experienced Spaniard to establish himself in the starting lineup.

Casper Jander, Flynn Downes and Shea Charles all featured prominently throughout the season, while highly rated youngster Cameron Bragg also emerged as another midfield option. As a result, Romeu found himself slipping further down the pecking order.

He managed only six Championship appearances during the campaign, with five of those outings coming early after he became available. As the season progressed, his involvement reduced significantly, and he frequently found himself left out of matchday squads altogether.

Although frustrating from a personal perspective, Romeu continued to maintain a professional attitude and remained a respected member of the dressing room.

Southampton Decide Against Contract Renewal

Once the campaign concluded, Southampton opted not to extend Romeu’s contract, allowing the veteran midfielder to leave as a free agent once again.

Unlike the previous summer, when he spent several months without a club before rejoining Southampton, this time he wasted little time finding a new destination.

With preparations underway for another season, Romeu accepted an opportunity to continue playing abroad by signing for Japanese side Avispa Fukuoka, who are preparing for the upcoming J-League campaign beginning in early August.

The move offers the experienced midfielder another fresh challenge while allowing him to continue contributing at a competitive level.

Leo Scienza Responds to Romeu’s Announcement

After officially completing his move, Romeu shared his excitement on social media, posting a heartfelt message expressing his enthusiasm about beginning a new journey with Avispa Fukuoka.

He wrote that he was excited to start a new chapter with the Japanese club and looked forward to enjoying the experience together with supporters.

Among those reacting positively to the announcement was Southampton winger Leo Scienza, who liked Romeu’s Instagram post, demonstrating the strong respect that remains between current and former teammates.

Scienza enjoyed an outstanding debut season after arriving from Bundesliga outfit FC Heidenheim. The winger quickly became one of Southampton’s standout performers, scoring seven goals while contributing ten assists in only 30 Championship starts.

His performances consistently impressed supporters, with one of his finest displays coming during Southampton’s memorable FA Cup victory over Arsenal, where he delivered a Man of the Match performance.

Romeu Brings Valuable Experience to Japan

Avispa Fukuoka are hoping Romeu’s extensive experience can strengthen their squad as they aim to improve on consecutive 12th-place finishes in Japan’s top division.

The club has previously demonstrated its potential after finishing seventh in the J-League and winning the J-League Cup only a few seasons ago.

Having played in both the Premier League and La Liga while representing clubs including Chelsea, Southampton, Girona and Barcelona, Romeu arrives with invaluable knowledge that could benefit both younger teammates and the club’s ambitions moving forward.

His leadership qualities may prove just as important as his performances on the pitch.

Southampton Could Miss His Leadership

Although Romeu rarely featured during his second spell, many within Southampton viewed his presence as extremely valuable behind closed doors.

Experienced professionals who have competed at the highest levels often contribute significantly to maintaining standards in training, supporting younger players and helping guide teammates through difficult moments during a demanding season.

Romeu’s popularity among current Southampton players, reflected by reactions like Scienza’s, suggests he was highly respected inside the dressing room despite his limited playing time.

Replacing that type of influence is rarely straightforward.

Saints Face a Challenging Start to the New Season

Southampton now enter the new campaign facing several uncertainties both on and off the field.

The club is preparing to begin its season against Colchester United in the EFL Cup, while promotion back to the Premier League remains the clear objective after last season’s disappointment.

However, uncertainty continues to surround head coach Tonda Eckert, who is still awaiting the outcome of FA disciplinary proceedings. Speculation persists that he could receive a suspension shortly before the campaign begins.

Combined with Southampton already starting the season with a four-point deduction, the club faces a difficult challenge before a ball has even been kicked.

Maintaining squad unity will therefore be crucial if the Saints are to overcome those setbacks, making the departure of a respected veteran such as Oriol Romeu feel even more significant. His influence in the dressing room may ultimately be missed just as much as anything he produced on the pitch.