Joe Aribo opens up on his transfer decision to leave Rangers for Southampton with big ambition

Cockpit footage of the Red Arrows as they perform at Armed Forces Day 2022

Joe Aribo says he is excited about the season ahead with Southampton, although he admits it was a "really hard decision" for him to leave Rangers.

The Nigerian international made the move from the Scottish giants this summer, leaving Rangers after three seasons with the club to return to English football with Southampton, who had been interested in signing him when he left Charlton Athletic for Ibrox in the summer of 2019.

But the the pull of playing in the Premier League with Southampton was key to Aribo's decision this summer as he departed the Scottish Premiership club after scoring in the Europa League final for Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side against Eintracht Frankfurt last season, a game Rangers ultimately lost on penalties.

And the 25-year-old is setting his sights on getting back to Europe with Southampton, with the midfielder keen to make his mark in the Premier League after moving south of the border.

“For me, I feel excitement. I’m not really a nervous player anymore, I used to be at times but now I just embrace the moment and embrace the occasion and I’m excited to get going and I can’t wait," he told Talksport.

“We want to push and we want to fight. We want to get ourselves into the top half of the table and push for Europe, that’s the aim. We need to give our best and do what we can as a team because we’re on a good journey here and I’m excited for what’s to come, so let’s see where that takes us.”

But Aribo has admitted that it was not easy for him to leave Rangers, where he had become a fans' favourite after scoring 26 goals in 149 appearances for the Scottish giants, including nine goals last season as he made 57