Southampton’s Joe Aribo reveals how Steven Gerrard made him ‘feel wanted’ at Rangers

Aribo has been discussing his time working under the Aston Villa boss

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Southampton’s new signing Joe Aribo has revealed how Steven Gerrard made him feel wanted when he played for Rangers.

Aribo joined the Glasgow club in 2019 and played for the club until the end of the 2021/22 campaign before sealing a move to the Saints. Aribo impressed during his time in Glasgow, and praised his former boss Gerrard for the impact he had on his career.

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Posting a video on his social media pages, (via Goal) Aribo said: “Playing under Steven Gerrard was amazing, he was a big factor in me joining also because I felt wanted.

Sold to Southampton, July 2022. Fee: £6m rising to £10mSold to Southampton, July 2022. Fee: £6m rising to £10m
Sold to Southampton, July 2022. Fee: £6m rising to £10m

“He would banter with me and he was just really good to me. Even off the field, if I was out of form or I didn’t seem myself on the training ground, he would notice it and pull me in, speak to me in his office. He was really good to me.”

Aribo helped Rangers reach the Europa League Final and to win the Scottish Cup in his final season for the club before sealing move to the Premier League.

He said: “It actually hasn’t sunk in yet and that’s the thing with me, I don’t really let moments get to me too much.

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“I do really need to sit down and let this one sink in because this is literally like a dream come true. From a child, I have wanted this.”

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