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Premier League: Southampton keeper Artur Boruc to be second choice to Fraser Forster

Artur Boruc of Southampton during the pre-season friendly against Bournemouth
Image: Artur Boruc: Southampton keeper to be No.2 to Fraser Forster

Ronald Koeman is expecting Artur Boruc to provide ‘real competition’ for Fraser Forster after confirming Southampton’s new signing will be the club’s first-choice goalkeeper this season.

Forster completed a £10million move to St Mary’s from Celtic last week and will replace Boruc as Southampton’s No.1.

Boruc has made 50 appearances for Saints since joining almost two years ago and Koeman wants the 34-year-old to accept the challenge of being Forster’s understudy.

“Everybody knows the situation with Artur Boruc – it’s the last season of his contract – so this is a choice about the future,” Koeman told the club’s official website.

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“I’ve already spoken to Artur, and Fraser Forster comes in as the first goalkeeper. Artur has to give real competition, and I expect that because that’s the professional way. 

“It’s a difficult situation for him, I understand that, but it’s football. We need competition in all of the positions.”

Koeman, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino as Southampton manager in the summer, is happy to have added England international Forster to his squad.

He said: “First of all, I’m very happy because he’s a very good goalkeeper.

“He’s England’s third goalkeeper, he has a lot of experience and he’s played at Champions League level.

“Goalkeepers normally have a longer career than outfield players, so this is about the future. For the next three, four, five years, we have a very good goalkeeper.”

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