SOUTHAMPTON HAVE SIGNED striker Che Adams from Birmingham City and allowed Matt Targett to join Aston Villa.
Adams has agreed to a five-year deal following a fine season for Championship side Birmingham, in which he registered 22 goals and six assists in 48 appearances in all competitions.
Saints claim to have beaten “a number of Premier League suitors” to the 22-year-old’s signature.
“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,” said boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.
“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.”
Southampton, who spent a reported £15million (€16.7 million) on Adams, have also sold left-back Targett to Villa for around the same fee.
“We’re very pleased to have Matt join us,” Villa head coach Dean Smith told the club’s website. “He’s a player we have been looking at for a considerable amount of time.
He fits our criteria of being a young player with experience of playing in the Premier League and having the potential to develop further. He will help make us a stronger defensive unit and we are all looking forward to working with him.”
Targett joined Southampton as an eight-year-old and made 63 appearances in all competitions after making his debut in 2014.
“Targett has been an outstanding ambassador for the academy, setting a fine example for future Staplewood graduates,” the club said in a statement.
“Everyone at Southampton Football Club would like to thank Matt for his tremendous service and wish him every success in the future.”
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Two incredible tennis players, full marks to both.
Thought it was a brilliant sporting occasion, two heavyweights toe to toe giving their all, gracious and sporting afterwards one in victory the other in defeat … True corinthian spirit of sport!
Brilliant match, every point fought for
Fantastic stuff. Well done to Novac!! Federer is an unbelievable sportsman. Mr Murray would want to look and learn how he conducts himself on the court when when winning or loosing.
Incredible match and kudos to both men. After his 4th set collapse Djokovic could have wilted but instead showed his indomitable spirit. 7 grand slam wins now and if he didn’t play in the Federer/Nadal era it would be twice that amount. Will be an all time great, along with the aforementioned pair by the time his career ends.
Was hoping Roger could make it number 18 in slams and a record 8th mens title but not to be. He might not get too many more chances but he is such an incredible athlete you wouldnt bet against it. We are in not just a golden era of mens tennis, but a golden era of sporting excellence with Nadal, Federer and Djokovic all battling it out. And they are all such classy individuals on and off the court.
Ah gwan roger ya legend!!ya magician ya!its relaxing just to watch how pure and fluid he is win he is on the tennis court.Getting abit older but still plugging away when he us supposed to be in decline,pluggin away like a true champion!well done to novak,tough test that would give him unbelievable confidence!