Russell Martin has finally got his man as Flynn Downes was confirmed as a Southampton player on Tuesday.
After an outstanding campaign on loan at Southampton last season, the signing of Flynn Downes has been the top priority since the beginning of the summer.
Following a lengthy pursuit, Southampton managed to strike an £18 million deal with West Ham United for the midfielder who was surprisingly announced at the Saints’ kit launch event on Tuesday night.
Downes joins Taylor Harwood-Bellis in turning his loan deal permanent and becomes Martin’s seventh signing of the summer.
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With his future in limbo in the early weeks of pre-season, Downes has now offered some insight into a hectic few weeks.
Flynn Downes slept on parents’ floor prior to Southampton move
A number of Southampton’s players were in attendance as Puma put on an event for a select few fans at St Mary’s in which they unveiled both the home and away kits ready for the return to the Premier League.
As if this wasn’t enough, Southampton unveiled Downes in the brand new home shirt much to the delight of the fans.
After the event, Downes was interviewed by BBC South News Sport Editor Lewis Coombes where he lifted the lid on weeks of uncertainty leading up to the move in a video posted on ‘X’.
Downes revealed: “That’s probably been the hardest thing the last few weeks, not knowing where I’m going to be, when I’m going to be there.”
Despite the riches of the Premier League, it is not always glamorous, as Downes pointed out: “It has been tough, obviously I’ve been sleeping on the floor at mum and dad’s, my missus has been back at home with her mum and dad.
“It’s been absolute carnage. So, yeah, it’s going to be nice to get a bit of normality back.”
Russell Martin will be glad to have Downes signed ahead of pre-season friendlies starting
Southampton have their first friendly of pre-season on Friday night as the St Mary’s side make the short trip to National League side Eastleigh.
Martin revealed last week that he wanted Downes in the squad weeks ago, but he will be happy that the holding midfielder has been signed ahead of the first test of the summer.
Whether Downes will feature on Friday remains to be seen, but he will be sure to be part of the squad that travel to Spain for a training camp following that game.
With Downes’ future secured, Martin can now turn his attention to strengthening other areas of his squad to build around the top target this summer.