NEW signing Will Armitage said it felt “amazing” to be a Saints player – and could already see the pathway into the club’s first team.

The central defender, 16, arrives on the south coast on a scholarship deal having made two senior appearances at League One side Cheltenham Town.

Armitage will initially join up with Carl Martin’s under-18s side at Saints and will look to progress through the ranks.

Speaking about the move, Armitage said: “It feels amazing to be here, really good.

“It feels great to be in such a great facility, in a great area, with a great bunch of lads and I’m really looking forward to getting started.

“I’ve always said since I was a young lad that I wanted to be a professional footballer and I’m just one step closer now which is amazing and Southampton will give me those opportunities.

“I do see a real pathway at Southampton, the 18s into the B team and then into first-team. Hopefully that pathway can lead to the first team for me.”