Southampton captain labels loan signing 'a brilliant guy'

Brooks, 26, helped the St Mary's side to promotion back to the Premier League with 20 appearances since joining in January.

The winger was forced off after just 35 minutes during the 1-0 win over Leeds United, in last week's play-off final at Wembley.

Brooks dislocated his shoulder and could not play on - thankfully, Adam Armstrong had already struck the decisive blow.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has already planned to re-assess Brooks in pre-season at Vitality Stadium. 

However, speaking to the Daily Echo, Stephens credited his contribution saying: "I love Brooksy, I love him.

Saints captain Jack Stephens applauds supporters after promotion

"I met him at Bournemouth last season, obviously, and he's a brilliant person. Obviously, he is a fantastic person, we know that.

"What a brilliant guy. To go through what he's gone through and come back to play football is an incredible story in itself.

"But to come back and play at the level that he is and be the player that he is, is amazing. I'm so proud of him.

"Obviously, I was gutted for him (at Wembley), because seeing him break down in tears in the first half was tough for me to see.

"But I'm delighted we got the job done because we can all enjoy that together and that's what we will do."

Brooks missed nearly two years of football through illness and injury from October 2021, when he was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin lymphoma.

The former Man City and Sheffield United man spoke to the Daily Echo at Wembley, saying: “I tried to give it a go.

“I was gutted that I had to leave the pitch. It is what it is. This was Sam Edozie’s day because I came in for Che Adams last week.

"I’ve been out for about two years so you have to drag me off. I was going to give my all to stay on but it wasn’t the case.”