Real Madrid star Gareth Bale discusses his time at Southampton

The superstar joined the south coast side back in 1999 and then went on to graduate from the academy.

Bale became the second youngest player to ever play for Saints – behind Theo Walcott – when he made his debut against Millwall back in April 2006.

The four-time Champions League winner told BT Sport: “I remember my first game, I was so nervous. I felt like I didn’t want to go out on the pitch, to be honest.

“I was 16 at the time, had been playing in the reserve team and doing well and, to be honest, I wasn’t really expecting to be called up to the first team.

“I remember one of the boys my age said, ‘I’ve heard that you might be going to the first team’ and I said ‘no, don’t be stupid!’ and I remember just having the chat and training and it was surreal.”

Wales international Bale left Saints for Tottenham in 2007 when the north London side paid an initial £5m for his services which would eventually climb to £10m.

The 29-year-old signed a four-year deal with Spurs but the beginning of his spell at White Hart Lane was plagued by injuries.

Bale suffered ligament damage to his ankle in December 2007 which kept him out of action until the end of the 2008/09 season.

Gareth Bale in action for Tottenham

With his injury problems behind him, the winger took the Premier League by storm in his final season.

The Welshman netted 31 goals in 52 appearances in the 2012/13 campaign, which earned him a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Madrid broke the world record for a transfer fee when they splashed out £85m to land the former Saint.

However, given the club’s success during Bale’s time there, it’s been money well spent.

Bale has gone on to win one La Liga and four Champions League titles, as well as a host of others including the UEFA Super Cup three times.

Bale with the Champions League trophy after Real Madrid's win against Liverpool last year

Even though he has played in some of the biggest games and against the best players in the world, Bale still remembers what it was like to watch the Saints first team at Staplewood.

He added: “We used to train on the lower pitches on the other side of the training ground and we used to come back in early sometimes to watch them train and be in awe of them.

“To then be there was just one of the best feelings. You felt like you had made it there and then.

“I loved playing for Southampton, the fans are incredible, and I will always be in debt to them.”