SAINTS are set to host a unique trial event at Staplewood Campus following the English launch of a popular app for unsigned football players.

Tonsser, an app which helps young footballers get discovered and gain access to potentially career-changing opportunities, launches in England today.

More than 1 million youth players in France and 1.6 million in total already have a profile on the Tonsser app – which is in the portfolio of Southampton’s owners, Sport Republic.

Young footballers use the platform to build their football identity, capture performances, compare and get access to trials and aspirational opportunities.

Through performance data held in the app, unsigned players can qualify and be selected for different opportunities to showcase their potential in front of professional and semi-professional clubs.

Tonsser is launching its popular player app in England and kicking it off with the trial event Tonsser Undiscovered x Southampton FC, where unsigned youth players can apply on the app.

In Germany, Tonsser hosted a previous Tonsser Undiscovered event with FC Ingolstadt. Among the 75 players who attended the event was Merlin Röhl, a teenager playing for amateur club SV Babelsberg in the fourth level in the Berlin suburbs.

At the event, he impressed the academy staff and signed with the club. Since then he went on to play for the academy teams, the 2. Bundesliga team and Germany U20 before being signed by Freiburg in August for €3 million at the age of 20.

Gareth Hamer, local recruitment manager for Saints said: “Southampton Football Club is renowned for developing potential into excellence.

”As a club, we have always had a strong focus on youth development that has been built into our philosophy. We’re excited to be working with a like-minded organisation in Tonsser, whose vision of empowering young players to unlock their potential matches our own.

”We look forward to working with Tonsser to unearth the hidden talent of the future and help players to reach their potential.”

A first screening event will be held on May 8, 2023 in London, where youth scouts from Saints will evaluate and select 32 players for the main trial event on June 4, 2023.