Southampton have signed midfielder Flynn Downes on a permanent deal from West Ham.
The 25-year-old returns to St Mary’s for their first season back in the Premier League after a successful loan spell last term.
Downes made 37 appearances for the Saints in the Championship in 2023-24, scoring twice as he helped them seal promotion via the play-offs.
He has now made his move to the South Coast a permanent one, penning a four-year deal.
“We’re thrilled to bring Flynn back,” said manager Russell Martin. “It was a big priority for us this summer and to get it done early in pre-season is also really important for us.
“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.”
SAINT Flynn 🙏
We are delighted to announce the permanent signing of Flynn Downes:
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 16, 2024
Downes made 35 appearances for the Hammers after joining from Swansea in 2022.
He added: “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.”
Downes is Southampton’s seventh signing of the summer, joining the likes of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Yukinari Sugawara and Adam Lallana in Martin’s side.
