Russell Martin has confirmed that one of Southampton’s academy talents will spend the 2024/25 season away from the club.
The Southampton manager was in attendance as the club sent an XI consisting predominantly of under-21 players to face local side AFC Totton in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.
Prior to watching the young Saints winning 3-2, with the returning Dom Ballard on the scoresheet, Russell Martin held a short Q&A with fans.
This was something not many managers would do ahead of a youth side game and shows how Martin has earned the respect of the Southampton faithful, as well as their trust.
The Saints boss spoke on Flynn Downes and Kyle Walker-Peters – both of whom are the subject of intense speculation – before confirming that one young Southampton ace will spend next season out on loan.
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Southampton youngster Cam Bragg set for first senior loan
That player is Cam Bragg, the 19-year-old who has been at Southampton since the age of eight.
Bragg was not involved in a squad including the likes of Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh, Jayden Meghoma and Derrick Abu at Totton and Martin revealed why.
According to Southampton reporter George Rees-Julian on ‘X’, Martin confirmed in the Q&A ahead of the game that Bragg would be sent on loan for the 2024/25 season.
This will be Bragg’s first loan spell after he made two senior appearances for Southampton in the FA Cup last season.
After making his debut against Walsall in the FA Cup third round in January, Martin praised the midfielder, as he said: “I really enjoyed Braggy’s performance – he deserved to get on the pitch, I really like him as a young man and as a footballer.
“He’s really got such a good understanding, learns quickly, asks questions, so it was nice to get him on the pitch because he deserved that, and I thought he was really good when he came on.”
Which other Southampton youngsters could go on loan next season?
Martin did not confirm where Bragg will spend next season but the club will be keen to get him playing regular senior football at a side that play a similar way to Southampton.
The Saints have already sent young defender Zach Awe to Accrington Stanley this summer on loan but more could follow.
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Striker Ballard went on loan to Reading last season but saw his season cut short with a Patella injury after just ten league games and will likely seek another loan this summer.
With the step up to the Premier League it is going to be even more difficult for Martin to hand opportunities to academy talents and that could see the likes of Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Tyler Dibling and Meghoma leave for the season after the trio impressed in the FA Cup last term.
Centre-back Nico Lawrence is also likely to be allowed to earn more experience on loan, whilst Sonnie Davis – son of Southampton legend Kelvin – has expressed his desire to go on loan.