ACADEMY director Andy Goldie has revealed that Saints plan to continue recruiting youngsters from other clubs.

Goldie, who recently arrived at Staplewood from Swansea City, pointed to the likes of Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Jayden Meghoma as examples of how signing players developed elsewhere can boost Saints' academy.

Speaking in his first interview with the club, the Scotsman said:  "First and foremost, we'll always look to develop players our fans can relate to which is players that are from this area, born and bred in Southampton. 

“If we can follow a similar process to the players that we've had in the past, who the fans still celebrate and quite rightly so, then I think we'll be on the right tracks.

"But to also just narrow ourselves down to that, we wouldn't be doing our jobs properly.

“We need to make sure we continue to diversify our groups because we do have a limited geographical population where we are.

"Bringing boys in like Jayden (Meghoma) and Sam (Amo-Ameyaw) and so on have had an unbelievable impact, not just for them and their opportunity but also in terms of developing the other players the Academy as well.

"They'll see another level of player, and better players ultimately create better players."

Three of the five academy products named in Southampton’s squad for their 1-2 win against Sheffield Wednesday started their academy journeys at other clubs.

That trend has continued this summer with Derrick Abu, Josh McNamara and the soon-to-be-announced Zach Awe all joining Saints under-21 following their releases from top six clubs.

Additionally, five new arrivals signed scholarships terms with Southampton this summer, including two players from Chelsea.

“Regardless of the age group, first and foremost we need to look after people and we need to treat people as they should be – so age and stage-specific," Goldie continued. 

"I think if you get that bit right then they will buy into the tactical, technical and psychological.

“With the younger age groups, in terms of a developmental point of view as a young footballer, we need to make sure that these boys can do pretty much everything with the ball – they have to master the ball because of the demands of the new game model.

"They are going to have to master the ball in different situations, dominate one vs one, take the ball under pressure – really teaching that bravery and courage in possession.

"We want them to be brave and courageous, and this should be the norm for them and something that they do every day.

“Hopefully, we then add more detail, more support and more challenge to that to facilitate the transition into the first-team.”