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.”