Accrington loan former Arsenal defender from Southampton

The 20 year old joined Saints in August 2023 from Arsenal's academy, where he had previously spent over 10 years in their youth ranks.

The centre-back went on to make 21 appearances for the under-21s in the 2023/24 campaign, and will now link up with the League Two side in his first senior loan.

A club statement added: "The club wishes Zach all the best and looks forward to monitoring his progress." 

FOUR! Nico Lawrence on the scoresheet with a volleyed tap in from close range.

It’s from a short corner and both Zach Awe and Lawrence make a late run from the halfway line.

Imposing sight and Stoke couldn’t hack it. Ball headed up and finished. 4-0.#SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/XbCiPqmlmz

— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) March 8, 2024

Youngster Awe signed a three-year professional deal when he arrived at Staplewood and remains under contract until June 2026.

Standing at six-foot five-inches tall, Awe is a confident and composed defender but continues to work on his distribution out the back.

He made 37 appearances for Arsenal's under-21s and was named on Mikel Arteta's bench for a Premier League tie at Wolves in February 2022.

Awe turned down a new contract at the Gunners in favour of finding a new club, before eventually signing on at Saints.

Speaking to the Daily Echo last year, Awe said: "I felt like I needed a challenge and a different experience to my footballing career. I had been at Arsenal my whole life.

"I was trying to get out of my comfort zone and get to somewhere where I knew that there would be a pathway for me to break through."