SAINTS director of football Jason Wilcox has explained the club's decision to sell Kami Doyle, after the midfielder's transfer to Brighton was confirmed. 

The St Mary's side will receive a transfer fee and sell-on percentage clause for the youngster who has been at Saints since he was seven.

The 18 year old made two senior appearances for Saints and has been a key man in Premier League title wins for the under-18s and under-21s teams.

Doyle's contract was set to expire this summer and Wilcox, the former Manchester City academy director, has issued a statement.

He said: “Kami is another success story from our academy and someone who we were keen to continue to help develop.

"However, with our position and ambitions in the league, as well as the strong competition within the team, including from other youngsters, we were unable to guarantee the first-team minutes that Kami and his representatives wanted.

“Kami had made it clear he did not wish to sign an extension to his contract with us, so we are pleased to have been able to secure a deal at an appropriate level for him."

Wilcox's statement concluded: "We wish him well for the future.”