GOALKEEPER Gavin Bazunu has joined Belgian side Standard Liege on loan for the remainder of the season, Saints have confirmed.

The 22 year old returned to action in January following nine months out with an Achilles injury, featuring three times for the Under-21s.

Bazunu was not registered in the Premier League squad due to that injury but will now link up with the Belgian Pro League outfit, who currently sit seventh in the table.

He travelled with the squad to Portman Road on Saturday to assist with the warmups but will now depart for first-team football following his recovery.

A statement from Saints added: "We look forward to monitoring his progress for the rest of the campaign."

Standard Liege sporting director Fergal Harkin is believed to have played a big role in Bazunu's move to Belgium.

Harkin is Manchester City's former loan manager and has a pre-existing relationship with Bazunu from his time in the Premier League champions' youth system.

The Republic of Ireland international kept two clean sheets in the Premier League 2 as the under-21s won all three games.

Bazunu will face a fellow Saints teammate when Standard Liege face Sam Edozie's Anderlecht on Sunday, March 2.