SAINTS have acquired a player who should fit seamlessly into Ivan Juric's preferred system after they confirmed the loan signing of Albert Grønbaek.

The St Mary's side added the current Denmark international midfielder on an initial loan deal but have the option to make it a permanent transfer in June.

Grønbaek has started five of the last six Nations League matches for his country, with the Danes deploying a Juric-esque 3-4-3 formation in four of those.

He was devastating for Bodo/Glimt, a minor league club whose reputation has exploded on the European scene, but he remains unproven in Europe's big leagues.

Grønbaek's availability, six months after joining Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes for £10million, comes down to having never really been in favour of their new boss.

Former Argentina head coach Jorge Sampaoli took charge of the Brittany outfit in November and Grønbaek has started just two league matches since.

“It is more of a personal decision on his part. He expressed his desire to leave the club. He hasn’t really found his place here, he’s not happy," Sampaoli said.

Sampaoli's philosophy and tactics are similar to that of Marcelo Bielsa - and somewhat Juric; a high-press game with vertical, forward-thinking build-up.

Sampaoli's system is also a 3-4-2-1 and although Grønbaek is slated as a midfielder, he was recently almost exclusively used in the front three for club and country.

Grønbaek is most effective from the left but although he is right-footed, he boasts a strong left too - best exemplified by his goal against Ajax in 2024.

“I’m a dynamic player, playing either as a number eight or number 10, and I can play on the wing as well," Grønbaek told club media in his first interview.

The 23 year old was considered one of Europe's hottest prospects coming out of the continent's minor leagues when he departed Bodo/Glimt last summer.

Standing at about five-foot nine-inches tall, Grønbaek scored 28 goals and provided 14 assists in his last 74 matches for the Norwegian outfit.

Head coach Kjetil Knutsen has become renowned for a trusty 4-3-3 and here Grønbaek played as the left central midfielder most frequently, as well as left-wing.

In May 2024, Grønbaek picked up the ball on the left touchline and powered through four defenders to thump into the near-post for back-to-back braces.

We have watched every goal he has scored and from this position, cutting in from the left with a stroke of the ball, most of Grønbaek's damage is done.

He has displayed a wider array of finishes, with a ridiculously deft chip against Rosenborg in April 2024 and a couple of headers, free-kicks and penalties.

Grønbaek outscored his xG by just over eight goals for Bodo/Glimt between 2022 and 2024 but do not be fooled - he was presented with many chances.

Grønbaek's skill and ingenuity with the ball at his feet also helped to draw Rennes to make good on their interest with an eight-figure transfer offer.

In an Eliteserien match against Pyunik in August 2023, Grønbaek exhibited a slick roulette to evade the intervention of two defenders inside the box and score.

That came just four days after a flip-flap - or elastico - against Viking, to complete a move from back to goal at the byline to back of the net.

Although Rennes fans have not seen his best, he looked to bring that flair with him when he faced Montpellier - exactly a week after his first goal for Denmark.

Grønbaek's passing is an area still to improve and over his league career, his pass success rate of 68.7 per cent would rank 29th of 31 in the Saints squad this season.

But he ranks significantly higher for key passes and passes into the penalty area - in Europe's top five leagues - than other metrics, suggesting he's a final-action player.

It has not necessarily been his job to move the ball between the thirds but instead within the final third, where the crucial actions take place.

His technical ability saw put on corner and free-kick duties with his previous clubs but Mateus Fernandes is hitting a purple-patch with set-pieces.

To play for Juric, whatever position he is tasked with operating in, Grønbaek will also be expected to work aggressively against the ball.

He is ranked in the top four per cent of attacking midfielders in Europe's top five leagues over the last year for overall tackles and tackles in the defensive third.

Grønbaek is also at the top end of the metrics for blocks, interceptions and clearances and will bring a determination to the Saints press under Juric.

Grønbaek probably joins knowing Saints are heading for the Championship next season but agreed to a deal that could become permanent regardless.

Credit to him for that bravery - and in return, Saints are handing the former prospect a second chance in the limelight after failing to settle in France.

Fans will hope to see his characteristic driving runs and curling strikes from the edge of the area - and maybe some similarities with summer signing Fernandes.

Perhaps the biggest difference is how Fernandes stitches together the final two-thirds of the pitch while Grønbaek will be at his best with the final action.