Former Southampton academy graduate Theo Walcott is looking forward to watching his boyhood club take on Leeds United in the Championship play-off final.
Walcott, who retired last summer, made an emotional return to the club at which it all started when he initially joined Southampton on loan in 2020 before making the move permanent a year later.
Having left the club to join Arsenal as a 16-year-old, it was a sad end to his career as he was part of the Saints side who finished bottom of the Premier League and subsequently ended their 11 year top flight stay with relegation.
Since hanging up his boots, Walcott has turned his hand to punditry but will be watching the play-off final against Leeds United as a fan desperate to see an instant return to the top tier.
Theo Walcott posts message of support to Southampton ahead of play-off final
Walcott, who made 82 appearances for the Saints across two spells according to Transfermarkt, will be keen to see the misery of last season undone with a win at Wembley.
The former England international posted a story on his official Instagram account with his support for the club, as well as reminiscing on his debut against Southampton’s final opponents.
The 35-year-old posted: “Can’t wait to watch the play-off final today!! Credit to all the players, staff and fans at Southampton. One of my best memories in football was my full debut against Leeds back in 2005. Let’s create some new memories!! COME ON YOU SAINTS!!!!!”
Southampton will certainly hope to create new memories at Wembley, with their last triumph coming in what was then called the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in 2010 over Carlisle United.
They should be confident having beat Leeds twice already this season, but anything can happen in a one-off game with so much at stake.