Former Southampton forward Papa Waigo has admitted he wanted to stay with the club.
The now-retired star, who played for Senegal, spent a year on loan at the club from Italian outfit Fiorentina.
He scored 10 goals in all competitions for the club, and stated in an interview with Il Posticipo that he had hoped to stay on with the Saints for longer.
“I played in England, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates…. I played the FA Cup with Southampton, and it was wonderful," he said.
“Fiorentina did everything to get me back after the loan. If it was up to me, I wouldn't have left. My way of playing was perfect for English football. We went fast on the flanks, then there was aggression and grit."