Southampton made a late decision to allow Samuel Edozie to leave on loan after the UK transfer window closed, with a move to Anderlecht agreed.
Samuel Edozie signed for Southampton from Manchester City in summer 2022 and has made 63 appearances for the club despite the fact he is still just 21.
The winger is a player Russell Martin likes and played a role in Southampton being promoted from the Championship last season as he scored six goals and provided three assists in the league.
However, the emergence of Sam Amo-Ameyaw in pre-season, coupled with the Deadline Day double signing of wingers Ryan Fraser and Maxwel Cornet, saw Southampton make a last minute decision to loan Edozie.
Rangers looked set to be the club to benefit from this, but the move collapsed in the final hours of the UK transfer window before Edozie was allowed to head to Anderlecht for the season due to the transfer window closing later in Belgium.
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Southampton loanee Samuel Edozie feels ‘welcome’ at Anderlecht
Edozie has played all three league games for Anderlecht since signing but is yet to taste victory for the Belgian giants with two draws and one defeat.
Edozie is yet to score or assist for his new club but has looked a player with a point to prove as he gets up to speed.
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There is uncertainty at Anderlecht as the club have already sacked manager Brian Riemer after their poor start to the season but Edozie will not let this faze him, as he said: “The feeling is good. I enjoy my game, that’s the most important thing. The fact that the coach was fired has no influence on my integration.
“The teammates welcomed me well. I feel welcome here. It’s nothing new to me that the coach was fired in the middle of the season. At Southampton we once had three coaches in one season.”
“Roméo Lavia is a very good friend of mine. He congratulated me on my transfer to Anderlecht. And I had already asked him what kind of club Anderlecht is.”
Edozie knows end product is what has let him down at Southampton and reflected on this too, saying: “What do I still need to improve? My last action. I need to score more goals or assists after my dribble.”
Edozie set for Europa League debut for Anderlecht
Having started to settle into life in Belgium, Edozie is set for his first taste of European football on Wednesday night as Anderlecht kick off their Europa League campaign.
The Belgian club welcome Hungarian side Ferencvaros to Lotto Park as they look to start their European exploits in style despite being managerless.
Hungarian former football Miklós Vancsa has identified Edozie as a threat ahead of the game, saying via Voetbal Nieuws: “Anderlecht is certainly not a bad team, but Ferencvaros can take the three points.
“At Ferencvaros, they have to keep an eye on Samuel Edozie. He is lightning fast, and he is extremely dangerous.”
Edozie’s ability has never been up for debate but the player himself knows now is the time to turn potential into goals and assists and what better place to prove himself than the Europa League.