Southampton beat ‘a number of’ golf equipment to Issa Tounkara deal, says Spors

Southampton technical director Johannes Spors says the Saints beat “a number of high European academies” to a deal for teenager Issa Tounkara.

Southampton are a membership famend for signing high prospects and growing them into monetary belongings. The Saints fuelled their Premier League success via such an ethos.

Whereas latest years have introduced promotions and relegations, some nice abilities have nonetheless handed via the doorways at St. Mary’s. And, they’ve simply added one other to their ranks, signing midfielder Issa Tounkara from Academie des Etoiles du Mande in his native Mali on a everlasting foundation.

Tounkara will formally hyperlink up with the Saints after he turns 18 this summer season, and the membership are delighted to get it completed. Talking upon affirmation of the deal, technical director Johannes Spors revealed the prospect had no scarcity of European curiosity: “We’re delighted to welcome Issa to Southampton,” he stated.

“He’s an thrilling expertise and there was curiosity from a number of high European academies, so we’re very happy he has chosen us. He’ll now have the time and setting to proceed his improvement inside our Academy set-up when he arrives at Staplewood in the summertime.”

Issa Tounkara marks a welcome coup for Southampton

Southampton have lengthy been a membership able to tempting high prospects into their ranks. This isn’t the primary time they’ve made notable academy coups, and it nearly definitely gained’t be the final.

Tounkara is simply within the youth of his profession however he first caught the attention within the U17s Africa Cup of Nations. He captained Mali to the ultimate and seemingly impressed a bunch of scouts alongside the way in which.

The Saints will hope to see Tounkara progress inside their U18s and U21s teams with a view to breaking via at a senior stage. There’s a clear pathway for high younger prospects to make a reputation for themselves on the South Coast and the brand new midfield starlet will hope to be the following.

First although, the membership will see to serving to Tounkara settle in England with a giant transfer awaiting.

The primary-team focus at Southampton

Whereas the development of children to the first-team is central to success at Southampton, Tonda Eckert shall be laser targeted on sustaining the senior workforce’s kind over the ultimate weeks of the season.

A outstanding turnaround below German rookie Eckert has seen the Saints rise to fifth. Not solely are they in an amazing place to complete within the play-offs, however an FA Cup semi-final towards Manchester Metropolis awaits too.

Southampton face Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night time. They’re unbeaten since January seventeenth and have gained 5 Championship video games in a row. Victory may transfer them inside three factors off 2nd if Portsmouth can spring a shock towards Ipswich City.