The worst kept secret of the last few weeks but as this site predicted, nothing would happen to July 1st and hey ho lets go the transfer merry go round is under way.

Saints have announced that they have signed Che Adams from Birmingham City in a morning where we have sold one to the West Midlands City for £15 million and brought one back in the other direction in Che Adams for just a tad more in transfer fee.

This is a transfer that excites Saints supporters and a deal that the club has been trying to do since January, they have been patient and seem to have played it exactly right, refusing to get into a Dutch Auction for Adams and holding their ground to land him at the right price rather than paying well over the odds.

This mornings work has been good business and when added to Moussa Djenepo, sees the squad significantly stronger than last season already from an attacking perspective.

Saints work is not yet finished though and there will be more deals done, but Saints supporters can be happy with the work done so far and the way the club are now conducting their business, they seemed to have lost their way in the past couple of years, but now have refocused and re energised and Ralph Hasenhuttl has to be given a lot of credit for that.

Adams who registered 22 goals and six assists in 48 appearances last season was shortlisted for the Championship Player of the Year and named in the Team of the Season at the EFL Awards, has agreed a five-year contract at St Mary’s.

Turning 23 in a couple of weeks Adams is far from an overnight success and has built up his reputation over a number of seasons for both Birmingham City and also Sheffield United and with almost 200 games in all competitions to his name will have that blend of youth and experience that Saints look for.

Saints boss Hasenhüttl said:

“Che fits the profile of player we want to bring to Southampton and is very driven to show what he can do at the highest level.

“We have been monitoring his progress for some time now. He has shown a desire to join us above all other clubs, which shows the positive reputation Southampton has built for developing young players."

“I am delighted to have signed Che and Moussa ahead of the start of pre-season. They are both young, dynamic players with the level of enthusiasm and hunger we are looking for that can help us improve as a team.”

Adams commented:

“I’m delighted. There was interest in January, when it didn’t quite happen, but I’m happy now that it’s all gone through.

“You can see with the track history — the amount of young players they’re playing, the gaffer’s belief in the young players, the squad in itself — where the club is going to be. I want to be part of that.”

Photo: Action Images

bstokesaint added 12:28 - Jul 1 Great news. Really good business from the club with Targett and Adams double. Looking forward to seeing the boy Adams play.
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codge added 12:31 - Jul 1 Fantastic news finally got it done should be really interesting season this year.
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A1079 added 12:48 - Jul 1 Excellent news and on the attacking front it is looking more promising. Pleased that the purchases are being made relatively early to enable the bedding in period to begin before the season starts. Now for that all important defence!
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saintmark1976 added 13:59 - Jul 1 Good news. His goals scored last season for Birmingham and shown on You Tube are well worth a look. He appears to be able to place the ball into the net rather than blast it. I will probably regret saying it but in this regard he reminds me a little of Jimmy Greaves. Let's hope he can do the same against Premiership defences.
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SaintBrock added 14:21 - Jul 1 About time we recruited a potential gem. Will be great to see him grow under Hutch. Sad 'though that Lemina is to be off loaded and Boufal going to Marseille, I was looking forward to seeing so many gifted players in our team Run Rabbit, run.
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SaintBlonde added 16:20 - Jul 1 In truth though Brock, I think all of us are "hoping" that boufal could integrate, myself included, but it's probably highly unlikely that he could just change his attitude and jump on the train/take his chance. Selling him will add to our funds for strengthening the defence. Lemina is a bit similar.. can be great on his day, but we haven't seen many of those days. We did ok without him last year.. if he stays does he actually improve us that much? Time will tell.

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halftimeorange added 18:06 - Jul 1 I'd be sorry to see Lemina on his way. To my mind he is our most talented midfielder. Hobjberg is a workhorse, Romeu is an out and out stopper and JWP has that shot and can pick a pass but needs others to cover his lapses. I like Armstrong but he's patchy and I'm assuming Elyonnoussi is on his way. We do have Callum Slattery and he looks as though he could make the breakthrough. He ran the U-23 final until he was mysteriously subbed.

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petedoors1 added 19:02 - Jul 1 Good news. He looks like the player we have been missing for 2 years.
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highfield49 added 12:32 - Jul 2 Really looking forward to seeing Adams in action at the top level and hoping he can make a big impact. Presuming Obafemi and Ings can keep fit and Djenepo lives up to promise there are going to be goals flowing once again. Roll on Burnley, can't wait now.
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