IRISH STRIKER Shane Long has left Southampton after becoming a free agent. The Tipperary man spent 8 years at the club.
Long, who started his career at Cork City in 2005, played for Hull and Reading. and would then move to the south coast in 2014.
#SaintsFC can confirm Shane Long has left the club at the conclusion of his contract.
Thank you for everything, @ShaneLong7 ♥️— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 1, 2022
Long scored 37 goals in 245 games for the Saints
The 35-year-old has found it hard to nail down a starting spot in the Premier League and will now look to sign with a new club before the start of the new season.
A stoppage-time winner at Anfield for Southampton meant the club reached their first Cup final since 2002 in 2017.
In April 2019, Long wrote his name into the Premier League history books by scoring the competition’s fastest-ever goal, taking just 7.69 seconds to break the deadlock against Watford.
“Everyone at Southampton Football Club would like to express their gratitude to Shane for his incredible dedication and service throughout his time at St Mary’s, and we wish him well for the future,” reads an official statement.
Long has won 88 caps for the Republic of Ireland and 17 international goals
Ireland fans know him best for his goal against Germany in the Aviva in 2015.
OTD | One of the great moments in recent history 📅
October 8, 2015 - Shane Long v Germany 😍
"SHANE LONGGGG.... HAS DONE IT..."
Your memories of the game, comment below 👇#COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #WeAre100 pic.twitter.com/FYpZNwoGbj— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) October 8, 2021
