25 year old Rhuendly Martina, more well known as Cuco Martina, signed a two year contract with Saints on the 7th July. He is the first Curaçao International to play for the club.
Born in Rotterdam, Martina’s football career began with Dutch second tier club, RBC Roosendaal in 2008. He made 68 league appearances for the club, scoring twice.
At the end of the 2010/11 season, RBC went bankrupt and were relegated to the lowest level of football in the Netherlands. Martina left the club and joined RKC Waalwijk in July 2011.
In his time with RKC Waalwijk, Martina gained his first international call-up with Curaçao. He won his first cap on 3rd September 2011, playing for the full game as Curaçao lost 5-2 to Antigua and Barbuda in a 2014 World Cup qualifying game. He recently represented his country in June, captaining Curaçao in a goalless draw with Cuba.
During his first season for RKC, Martina made 23 appearances and scored once, the club were then managed by Saints current Assistant Manager, Erwin Koeman.
His form earned him a move to FC Twente, who went on to finish third in 2013/14. However, his first season with the club was split between 16 first team appearances and 11 games for the club’s reserves. During that first season Martina played alongside current Saints midfielder, Dušan Tadić.
Last season, Martina played all bar two of FC Twente’s league matches, also captaining the club in Europa League qualifying.
- Previous Club : FC Twente
- Age : 25
- Nationality : Curaçaoan
- 2015-16 News
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Saints win the last match of the season
In what was ultimately a party atmosphere, Saints qualified for the Europa League by finishing in 5th place, equal on points with Manchester United, but ahead on goal difference. That could change, with the Manchester United v AFC Bournemouth game abandoned. If ManU win, or draw the rearranged game, then Saints will finish 6th, which is still a Europa League qualifying place.
Heck of a way to end the season.
- Premier League
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- Europa League
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Saints won the Qualifying Round 3 against Vitesse 5-0 on aggregate.
In the Play Off Round Saints faced Danish Champions, Midtjylland. The first leg was played on Thursday 20th August at St.Mary’s, ending in a 1-1 draw.
The decisive return match was on Thursday 27th August in Denmark, which ended in a poor 1-0 loss and ultimate exit from the competition.
- The League Cup
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Saints drew MKDons away on Wednesday 23rd September, which ended in a straightforward 6-0 win.
The next round was on Wednesday, 28th October at home to Aston Villa. This was a more comfortable win than the scoreline suggests
The final outing in this season’s League Cup was at home when Saints were comprehensively thrashed by Liverpool
- The FA Cup
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Well, that was short and not very sweet.
Saints faced Crystal Palace in the 3rd round of the 2015/16 FACup, but lost 1-2 on the day.
- 2015-16 Signings
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Saints signed nine players this season. Two on loan and seven on long term contracts. Read more about them by clicking the button.
- Kelvin's Testamonial
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Kelvin is retiring after being central to the club's rise through the divisions. Saints awarded him that rare thing these days, a testimonial which enabled him to have a great evening with current and past colleagues, while raising a lot of money for charity.