Cameron Archer has said he is “raring to go” after completing a £15 million move from Aston Villa to Southampton in time for Saints’ first Premier League match of the 2023-24 season at Newcastle on Saturday (3pm BST).
Striker Archer, who has signed a four-year deal with last season’s Championship play-off winners, scored four times in 29 top-flight matches on loan to Sheffield United last season but returned to Villa as part of a clause in the deal which was activated when the Blades were relegated.
“I just want to keep scoring goals and improve myself as a player,” the 22-year-old told Southampton’s website, adding that manager Russell Martin was “one of the main reasons why I’m here”.
“His playing style, his coaching and trying to improve me as a player – I don’t think there’s a better place to do that than with Southampton. I feel fit and ready, raring to go and get out on the pitch.”
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Cameron Archer ‘potential’
Martin said Archer had “huge potential”. “He’s had a really good pre-season – he’s sharp and ready to go,” observed the newcomer to Premier League management.
“He’s a constant threat with his pace and ability to score goals and will have learned a lot from playing regularly in the Premier League last season. Now it’s up to us to help him develop and showcase how good he can be at this level.”
Archer could be reunited in attack with Ben Brereton Diaz, a fellow loanee at Bramall Lane last season from Villarreal, who sold the Chile international to Southampton for £7m last month.
“I had a good chat with him, so that’s nice to have,” said the former England youth international. “We love to run and get in behind.
“We have a similar playing style and we can try and do well on the pitch together. Hopefully I can bring [my] archer celebration out very soon.”
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— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 16, 2024
Newcastle vs Southampton team news
Martin will be without two of his other attacking options against the Magpies. Kamaldeen Sulemana is recovering from an ankle injury and Ross Stewart is “nearly back in contention”, the coach said.
Adam Lallana is “getting closer” to making his comeback for the club after joining them for a second time following the midfielder’s exit from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Southampton finished bottom in their previous Premier League campaign in 2022-23 but made an immediate return at the end of Martin’s first season in charge.
