Southampton sign midfielder Downes from West Ham

Southampton person confirmed nan imperishable signing of midfielder Flynn Downes from West Ham.

The 25-year-old, who spent past play connected indebtedness astatine St Mary's, returns aft signing a four-year contract.

Downes made 37 appearances for Southampton successful 2023-24, scoring twice, arsenic he helped them gain promotion backmost to nan Premier League via nan play-offs.

"We’re thrilled to bring Flynn back," said head Russell Martin. "It was a large privilege for america this summertime and to get it done early successful pre-season is besides really important for us.

“He was specified an influential subordinate for america past season, some connected and disconnected nan pitch. He’s a superb character, he’s fierce and beingness successful his play, technically fantabulous pinch nan shot and a awesome jock too."

Downes, who joined West Ham from Swansea successful nan summertime of 2022, played 35 times for nan Hammers anterior to joining Southampton.

“Being a portion of it past year, it was truthful good," Downes said. "The full club, nan people, I deliberation everything astir it is truthful special.

“I consciousness for illustration erstwhile you link pinch group for illustration that, specified genuine people, and I'm talking astir nan full nine here, it's truthful difficult not to want to beryllium a portion of that."

Downes is Southampton's seventh signing since they were promoted from nan Championship and their 2nd successful 3 days aft nan presence of Yukinari Sugawara from AZ Alkmaar.