HEAD of academy recruitment Jack Chapman is set to depart Saints to take up a role at Tottenham Hotspur, the Daily Echo understands. 

Chapman arrived at Southampton last summer, following academy director Andy Goldie from Swansea City.

During his 12 months at the club, Chapman has worked to rebuild the club's recruitment and pre-academy programmes.

Academy staff at Saints are thankful for the work he has done during his short tenure and believe he has left the club in a better place.

During his time in charge, Saints have secured bright young Irish talent Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh and Thierry Rohart-Brown from Reading.

Saints will now begin the process of appointing his successor. 

Simon Jones (national), Conner Agar and Chris Robinson (local) remain in place and could receive further responsibilities. 

Chapman is the latest academy higher-ups to depart Staplewood this year following the announcement of head coach Adam Asghar and assistant academy director Tash Patel's exits.

Saints academy chiefs believe these departures are a consequence of recruiting good staff.