Southampton signed a player with ‘exceptional qualities’ who could emulate James Ward-Prowse

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To quote sporting director Johannes Spors, Southampton have secured themselves a ‘creative player, a progressive dribbler, and a strong set-piece taker’ all rolled into one diminutive 5ft 9ins frame.

And if St Mary’s was not already home to some of the finest attacking talent outside of the Premier League, then this is an addition their Championship rivals really could have done without.

On the subject of those set-piece specialties, Leo Scienza offered the Southampton faithful an exciting glimpse into his dead-ball talents during what would prove to be his penultimate Bundesliga outing in FC Heidenheim colours.

A glorious free-kick whipped into the back of the Wolfsburg net. James Ward-Prowse would have been proud.

Now, Heidenheim made it clear that Leo Scienza would only join Southampton for ‘exceptional’ money. As it transpired, the Saints seeing a deadline day bid accepted, a sum in the region of £8.5 million was enough to twist the arm of chairman Holger Sanwald.

Johannes Spors cannot speak highly enough of the diminutive Brazilian, while his old employers in Germany accepted his departure with a great deal of grace.

Heidenheim boss Holger Sanwald raves about Southampton newbie Leo Scienza

Speaking to the official Heidenheim website after Scienza put pen to paper on a four-year deal on the banks of the Solent, Sanwald insisted that the 26-year-old will always have a place in the hearts of all Voith Arena matchgoers.

“His winning goal in injury time of the relegation play-off in Elversberg will forever be remembered,” smiles Sanwald, reflecting on the glorious sight of Scienza cutting inside onto his right boot and rifling a finish into the roof of the net.

Clearly, a specialty on set-pieces is not the only threat he possesses.

“Leo, with this historic goal, played a major role in our success in securing our Bundesliga [status] last season,” the chairman adds. “He has also demonstrated his exceptional footballing qualities in the first few games of this season.

However, after Leo recently informed us that he was determined to take the next step in his career at Southampton, the last few days were spent finding a solution. The agreement reached with Southampton is now of such financial significance that we were able to approve this transfer.

“We would like to expressly thank Leo for his achievements in the FCH jersey and wish him all the best for his future in the English Championship, both sportingly and personally!”

Johannes Spors explains why Southampton signed Scienza

Frank Schmidt, the longest-serving coach in German football, was also keen to point out that Heidenheim could not stand in the way of Scienza’s ‘personal development’ and his desire for a fresh challenge in England.

Schmidt has deployed Scienza as a centre-forward of late. That versatility will also come in handy for Will Still, with the former Schalke prospect also capable of playing in a variety of attacking midfield roles.

“Leo is someone we feel can adapt well to English football,” Spors explains. He is a creative player, a progressive dribbler and a strong set-piece taker.

“He is a player who has consistently produced goals and assists in every league he has played, and is an exciting addition to our forward line.”

Southampton fought off a late hijack from Paris FC in the final hours of the transfer window.

The Saints missed out on Bournemouth’s Romain Faivre but Scienza’s eventual arrival should offset any disappointment in that regard. Right-back Elias Jelert joins on loan from Galatasaray, meanwhile. Caspar Jander, George Long, Finn Azaz and former West Brom winger Tom Fellows were also snapped up in the last week of the window.