Andrew Surman has bid an emotional farewell to the club he joined as a ten year old but declared that he will 'always be a Saint'…

The talented midfielder was introduced to his Wolves team mates this morning ahead of his first training session since securing his move to the newly promoted club, but admitted that his decision to move on was tinged with mixed emotions.

"Career-wise it's a great move for me to be able to play in the Premier League, which is something that all players strive to do," he said, "but I have mixed emotions because it's obviously sad to be leaving Southampton.

"I will always be a Saints fan and my family are sad to see me leave Southampton because they won't be able to come and watch me at St. Mary's.

"They realise that they need to support my career though and they will fully back me wherever I go or whatever club I'm at."

Surman has established himself as a fans' favourite with his hometown club and has risen swiftly through the ranks since joining the Academy as a ten year old.

Young Lion - Andrew Surman lines up for England Under-21's

His own contribution to the club's fortunes in recent years will not go unnoticed, but it is a mark of the man that his overall Saints highlight is a moment that he was pleased to enjoy as a fan rather than as a player.

"I've grown with this club and even though I wasn't involved, going to the FA Cup final when I was 16 was a massive high for me in the club's recent history," he continued.

"On the playing side of things the play-off semis were the highest we got and we felt that we were very unlucky not to get through. I got a goal in the first leg and personally that was my own highlight.

"It was a fantastic feeling, and my hat-trick against Barnsley was another. There have been plenty of highs."

Surman received a memorable send-off from Saints' Staplewood training ground, with his fellow team mates joining together to applaud him as Mark Wotte paid tribute.

The Dutchman explained: "We applauded him in the dressing room for his excellent attitude and mentality and all the efforts that he made for Southampton Football Club.

"He has been a role model for the younger players because he was someone who came through the ranks since joining the Academy as a ten year old.

Surman opens the scoring in the 2006/07 Play-off Semi Final

"We felt pity for ourselves that he has had to go, but it was an unavoidable move. He came into the dressing room at the training ground to get his boots and shook everyone's hand and I asked him to wait a moment so that I could thank him for all the things that he has done for our club.

"Andrew was always the first in and the last to go home. He always puts in 100% and shows a fantastic mentality in training and matches. The team then showed their appreciation and it was a nice moment."

Surman himself was keen to thank the club staff for the role that they have played in his development and signed off with a message of optimism for the fans.

"I'd like to thank everyone who's worked with me down the years, from the youth team coaches right up to managers who've come and gone.

"There are too many to name, but I've also played with some fantastic players and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time playing for the club that I supported as a lad.

"I'd also like to say thank you to the fans for all the support that they've given me and the team over the years. I know it's a difficult time at the moment, but with their fantastic support we will get through it. Eventually when the club is sorted we can get back to where we belong in the Premiership.

"The recent events may have pushed the move along a bit because the club has been struggling for money a bit, but any approach from a Premier League club was going to be of interest.

"It's more for the sake of my career that I needed to move on, but it's natural for football clubs to sell players and when the club is on the brink you might have to do just that and try and get as much money as you can to try and help the club to survive.

"I'm still optimistic about the future of Southampton though. It was disappointing when one of the takeover bids fell through yesterday but it's a fantastic club and I don't see why someone wouldn't want to buy it. I'm sure something will happen and hopefully it will be sooner rather than later.

"I'll always be Southampton supporter and Sam Vokes at Wolves is also a fan. I didn't know him before but I spoke to him this morning and he seems like a nice lad. There are two Saints fans up here and we'll both be watching things at St. Mary's very closely."