SAINTS have confirmed the signing of Cameron Archer, 22, from Aston Villa on a four-year deal.
The talented young forward arrives at St Mary’s to boost Russell Martin’s attacking options on the dawn of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
Archer departed Villa Park last summer for Sheffield United, tasting regular football in the Premier League for the first time and scoring four goals.
The striker returned to the Midlands in June, featuring heavily in pre-season, and now joins up with the Saints squad in time to travel with the team to Newcastle.
Archer said: “I'm really excited to be here. I had a good chat with the gaffer. Obviously, he told me everything I needed to hear.
Saints paying £15million for Cameron Archer, who is only 22 years old and clearly has plenty of space to develop.
— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) August 16, 2024
Watched his clips and he's quick off the mark, generates a lot of power with shooting and a fast reactor inside the box. Con is small with little aerial.#SaintsFC
“That was one of the main reasons why I'm here, his playing style, his coaching and trying to improve me as a player. It's not a bad place to do that in the Premier League with Southampton.
“I just want to keep scoring goals and improve myself as a player, and I don't think there's a better place to do that than with Southampton.”
A graduate of the Aston Villa academy, Archer scored a hattrick on his first senior start in a 2021 Carabao Cup tie.
He then enjoyed successful loan spells in the Sky Bet Championship with Preston North End and Middlesbrough.
Archer was key to helping England win the European Under-21 Championship alongside captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis last summer.
After sealing his signing, manager Russell Martin said: “Cameron is a really exciting young talent with huge potential to improve.
“We’re delighted to add him to the group in time for our first game back in the Premier League. He’s had a really good pre-season – he’s sharp and ready to go.
“He’s a constant threat with his pace and ability to score goals, and will have learned a lot from playing regularly in the Premier League last season.
"Now it’s up to us to help him develop and showcase how good he can be at this level.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel