Southampton have signed midfielder, Flynn Downes in a £18m transfer from West Ham.
Downes’ switch to Southampton has been made permanent following negotiations between the Saints and West Ham, after the 25 year-old produced two goals and three assists in 37 appearances on loan last season.
The last of Downes’ three assists last season came in a 3-1 win at home to West Brom in the second leg of their Championship Play-Off semi-final, en-route to promotion to the Premier League with a Play-Off Final triumph over Leeds.
Downes has signed a four-year contract until June 2028 and can’t wait to get down to business on the pitch and settle into the team as a full-time member of the squad.
“It feels so good, honestly. Walking in this morning, seeing a few familiar faces, it was a real pleasure.
“Being a part of it last year, it was so good. The whole club, the people, I think everything about it is so special.
“I feel like when you connect with people like that, such genuine people, and I’m talking about the whole club here, it’s so hard not to want to be a part of that.
“Now I just feel like I can fully settle down here, try and get better, try and play my best football here and help the team be a success.”
Manager, Russell Martin is “thrilled” to welcome Downes back after viewing his transfer as “a big priority” in this transfer window given his performances and connections built last season.
“He was such an influential player for us last season, both on and off the pitch. He’s a brilliant character, he’s aggressive and physical in his play, technically excellent with the ball and a fantastic athlete too.
“He built really strong relationships with the rest of the players and the staff, and I think you could tell the connection he created with the fans throughout last season, so I’m sure everyone’s delighted at the news.
“I know how excited and hungry he is about making the step up to the Premier League with us, and he’s someone who I really believe is more than ready for that transition and who can also continue to develop even more with us.”
Downes began his career at Ipswich where he scored three goals in 99 senior appearances amidst a loan spell at Luton in first half of 2018, before he went on score one goal at Swansea in 2021-22 season prior to his move to West Ham.
In his sole season at West Ham in the 2022-23 campaign, Downes failed to net in 35 appearances across all competitions.
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