SAINTS midfielder Flynn Downes explained playing "week in, week out" was the biggest factor in his permanent transfer from West Ham.
The St Mary's side have paid a fee of around £18million for the 25 year old's services after a successful loan spell from the Hammers last season.
Downes made 36 Championship appearances on the road to promotion, including the 1-0 win against Leeds United at Wembley in the play-off final.
The Daily Echo revealed Saints would make a permanent move for Downes after winning in the capital and they have now landed their man.
The deal was finalised on Tuesday morning and Saints worked with West Ham to tie up their announcement with the kit launch at St Mary's.
Speaking to BBC South, Downes said: "I'm buzzing to be back. It's been carnage the last few days, I'll be honest, a lot of ups and downs.
Flynn Downes penned a four-year deal at Saints (Image: Southampton FC)
"It's so good to be back with the staff, the players, the whole club. I knew probably on Monday for definite. There's been a lot of speculation that I try and stay out of.
"I am here now, so I'm happy. Obviously, we had a few chats with West Ham before going into the play-off game
"For me it's just about playing football, playing week in, week out. I feel like at West Ham I wasn't going to get it, you've got a lot of players and a big squad.
"So I just felt like this was the right fit for me, I know the gaffer, the staff, played on loan all last year and loved every second of it."
READ MORE: 'Feels so good' - Saints confirm Downes return on permanent basis from West Ham
He added: "As hard as it is to leave West Ham, where it's such a special place, the people, everything about it is so good. I just felt like I needed to make this step.
"I'm looking forward to it. I think it's a challenge against the best of the best in the Premier League and I can't wait."
Saints revealed their 2024/25 home and away kits at an exclusive launch event at St Mary's, in which the whole men's and women's squads were in attendance.
Two groups of players revealed themselves - on a catwalk and in a pop-up shop - before Downes was introduced on his own by host Kenzie Benali.
READ MORE: Saints reveal official 2024/25 season home and away kits
"I hated it, honestly. I hated every second of it. No, I'm joking. It was a bit out of my comfort zone," Downes quipped.
Flynn Downes is a Saint.#SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/EEQZAlQVYG
— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) July 16, 2024
"I'll be honest, I'd like to be a bit more low-key. But no, it is what it is. I know it's good for the fans and stuff and everyone there."
Saints manager Russell Martin said he would cry himself to sleep if he was unable to finalise the signing of Downes this summer.
Downes reportedly turned down a move to Premier League new boys Ipswich Town in order to finalise his switch to Saints.
The former Swansea City man made 99 appearances for the Tractor Boys before he was forced out of the club by manager Paul Cook in 2021.
He admitted: "I think that's probably been the hardest thing the last few weeks. Not knowing where I'm going to be or when I'm going to be there.
"It has been tough, sleeping on the floor at Mum and Dad's. My missus has been back home with her parents. It's just been absolute carnage.
"It's going to be nice to get a bit of normality back. I've got a picture of my wardrobe on the phone... it is so bad. It's literally like a pile on the floor.
"Fans see it, don't they? Oh, he might sign for him, he might sign for them. But actually, this is your life people are talking about.
"It's horrible, yeah, and even to train day in, day out and try to give 100 per cent. I know everyone says, do it for yourself, whatever, but it's so hard.
"When you know there's other stuff going on, it's so hard to give everything every day. But it is what it is and I'm just happy it's over the line now - I'm here."
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