SAINTS confirm the signing of goalkeeper Khiani Shombe on a one-year professional contract.

Shombe, 18, dropped out of academy football during his younger years and spent recent time playing non-league with Lewisham Borough.

He is a graduate of the Kinetic Academy, the same London-based academy which helped develop Joe Aribo and Nico Lawrence.

Shombe has signed terms after a successful trial with the under-18s last season.

On his first professional contract, he said: "I'm buzzing, I can't wait to get started, I've been in training and I'm just ready to hit the ground running.

Khiani Shombe with academy director Andy GoldieKhiani Shombe with academy director Andy Goldie (Image: Stuart Martin/Southampton Football Club)

"The football is very different to men's football, but I feel like I'm getting the hang of it and the players are all nice so it's going good."

Academy director Andy Goldie added: "We are really pleased to welcome Khiani from Lewisham Borough after a successful trial towards the end of last season.

"He’s another who comes from a long list of successful graduates from Kinetic Academy, so we know he's been developed with good values and standards which has been evident since he arrived at Staplewood.

"He already has over thirty senior games under his belt and will use that experience to compete with our Under-18s and Under-21s goalkeepers this season."