Southampton FC have warned that fake scouts have been approaching people asking for their bank details in a 'deceptive scheme'.

In a statement on their website, the club have said that these individuals have been impersonating members of our scouting team.

Saints have said they will never contact families through social media or request bank details.

A statement said: "We want to emphasise that we take this matter very seriously and are committed to safeguarding our community from any potential harm.

"While we cannot discuss specific incidents in detail, we want to highlight this issue to protect others from falling victim to this deceptive scheme.

"Southampton Football Club will never reach out to players or families directly via social media platforms, we’ll never use personal email addresses for official communication inviting players for trials.

"We’ll also never ask you to pay us any money or to share your bank details.

"We urge everyone to check the legitimacy of any communication claiming to be from Southampton Football Club.

"Our scouting network plays a crucial role in identifying and nurturing talent, and we encourage aspiring players to pursue their dreams.

"However, any official communication regarding trials will always adhere to the highest standards of professionalism."

Anybody who has doubts or suspicions regarding who they have been contacted by can reach out to the club directly by contacting supporterservices@saintsfc.co.uk.