Southampton

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest defender Zach Abbott has signed a new contract and joined Southampton on a season-long loan.

He has signed a four-year deal at the City Ground after a breakthrough season, which saw him make his Premier League debut and play seven times in the Europa League.

The 20-year-old made his senior debut against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup in 2024 and has made 12 appearances in all competitions.

Abbott, who has come through the club's academy, said: "I had memorable experiences last year that have given me even more hunger to improve and continue my development.

"This club has been my home for nearly 10 years, and I have a big sense of pride every time I pull on the shirt.

"It's a great feeling to extend my contract further and now it's about continuing to work hard every day and gaining as much experience as possible to put me in the best position to represent this club for the years ahead."

BBC Radio Solent discuss the transfer business done by Southampton and Portsmouth.

The show, which runs from 22:00-00:00 BST, will offer the latest updates and analysis.

Listen to it here

Subscribe to Solent Sport on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest academy graduate Zach Abbott is set to sign a new deal at the City Ground, BBC Radio Nottingham has reported.

The details of the contract are currently unknown, but the 20-year-old is expected to put pen to paper before heading out on loan to Championship side Southampton.

Abbott made 10 first-team appearances last season, including seven run-outs in the Reds' journey to the Europa League semi-finals.

He is expected to return to Forest at the end of any loan spell.

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton winger Sam Edozie says he has handed in a transfer request ahead of Tuesday night's deadline.

The 23-year-old published a statement on Instagram, external which said he has had "multiple offers" from European clubs.

"Last summer I had the opportunity to move elsewhere, but the club did not allow me to leave," Edozie said.

"The same happened again in January. This summer, there have once again been multiple offers from clubs across Europe".

Edozie claimed that Southampton have "requested as much as 50% of any future transfer fee, which has made those opportunities extremely difficult to pursue".

BBC Sport have approached Southampton for comment.

Edozie joined Southampton from Manchester City in September 2022 and has made 29 starts and another 57 appearances from the bench.

The former England Under-20 international went on loan to Belgium side Anderlect for the 2024-2025 season.

He added he was not getting "the minutes I need" at Southampton.

"A football career is short, and I believe it is important I now have the opportunity to go somewhere I can play regularly, continue to develop and make the most of my career as a player," he said.

Image source, Getty Images

Transfer deadline day is upon us and today is the final chance for your EFL club to finalise any business until January.

The transfer window closes at 23:00 BST, so we might have some late night scrambles to get deals over the line.

There has already been plenty of movement this summer and whether it's a busy or quiet day for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

Follow our EFL deadline day live text coverage throughout the day here

Get alerts and keep up to date with all the latest news, insight and fan views for your club

A new episode of BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home podcast is now available.

Adam Blackmore and former Saints midfielder Jo Tessem analyse a resounding 5-1 win for Saints against Millwall.

Listen above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Championship match between Southampton and Millwall.

Here are some of your comments:

Southampton fans

Steve: 5-1 is a great result but weirdly we never dominated the game and I was nervous until we got the fourth. We are great when Azaz and Scienza get going but we lack creativity in the middle of the park and are not overly tough on that area, particularly when Downes isn't there.

We also need a good partner for Schlotterbeck if Taylor Harwood-Bellis goes and it's definitely not Jack Stephens. But we will see, it's not a bad start and we do have some quality.

Andy: If we're all honest, nobody saw this coming. However, I guess somebody was going to suffer a backlash after cup exit midweek. Now the 'minus points total' is history it's onwards and upwards - COYS.

Malcolm: Very good performance all round, just need to stop going a goal down before we start playing the way we can.

Image source, Getty Images

Millwall fans

Mr Darren: Alex Neil has to be held accountable for this awful result.

Eight players are out injured and majority are injuries picked up on the training pitch.

Michael: It's too early to say. We looked shaky at the back, Jake Cooper is getting older.

Julian: Hope Millwall FC can put the loss behind them and think of the next match. Come on, you Lions!

Sam Ashoo
BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Southampton's 5-1 win against Millwall in the Championship on Saturday will be remembered for Cyle Larin's unbelievable flick and volley. But an honourable mention must go to Leo Scienza.

His first-half assist for Finn Azaz was one of the best the Championship will see this season. A mazy, dazzling run was capped off with a perfect chip to put it on a plate for Azaz, who nudged the Saints in front.

It felt like every attack of note, of which there were many, came through Scienza, with the winger very much living up to the hype that comes with being an attacker from Brazil. There was also little doubt he would dispatch his penalty for Southampton's third.

Head coach Tonda Eckert has built a side that looks robust at the back and full of flair going forward. If he can stay fit, Scienza will have a huge part to play in the Saints' promotion push this campaign.

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert says there is more to come from his side after their 5-1 victory over Millwall.

Cyle Larin scored twice, added to by goals from Finn Azaz, Leo Scienza and Tom Fellows.

Following their four-point deduction after Spygate, Saints are now on two points in 17th place.

"No start to the season is easy," Eckert told BBC Radio Solent

"As much as we all want things to get up and running from the start but it takes time.

"We've seen in moments of the game how good we can be. Even after today there is a lot more to come."

Eckert is now preparing for this week's trip to face Birmingham.

"There is a long way to go. We managed to stay humble and hungry last year and that is the job. Tuesday's game (at Birmingham) is going to demand a lot from us.

"Today and tomorrow it is about recovery and then we will focus on that."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse says that it feels like "the right time" to be back at the club.

The 31-year-old re-signed at St Mary's for his second spell on Friday after three years away with West Ham, including two loan spells with Nottingham Forest and Burnley.

The midfielder joined Saints for just under £1m and agreed terms on a two-year contract.

"I feel excited and that it's the right time," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"It's been a really turbulent couple of years with a lot of time to think to myself about what I want my career to look like.

"The opportunity came up and it was something that I was keen to do, to be back home is really special."

Southampton are back in Championship action on Saturday when they play Millwall at St Mary's who have got off to a perfect start in the league so far this season.

Despite struggling for consistent minutes on the pitch in the past couple of years, Ward-Prowse is determined to hit the ground running on his return to his old club.

"I'll be ready for when the whistle blows (for the Millwall game)," he added.

Although I've not been on the pitch as much as I'd like to, I've been in the gym and doing the extra bits to make sure that I'm ready for whatever comes about.

"I set very high standards for myself so I don't need anyone to tell me when I've played well or not, I know that within myself now.

"I'm a lot older now than when I first started out so I understand the game a lot more and I know my body really well."

Image source, Shutterstock

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert has confirmed there are still discussions around defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis' future at the club.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a move throughout the summer, having attracted attention from Portuguese club Benfica before the club rejected a bid from Premier League side Aston Villa, external.

"There's interest and there is a conversation," Eckert said in his press conference on Friday.

"I am talking every day to Taylor and at the moment, he is a Southampton player."

Meanwhile, midfielder Caspar Jander is taking longer than expected to return from the muscle injury he picked up in pre-season but is anticipated to be back before the international break in September.

"We were hoping for him to come back a little bit quicker," Eckert said.

"His muscle hasn't reacted too well in the first training sessions but we are talking over a week back and the last days have been positive. I'm hoping that [his return] will be very soon."

Southampton play league leaders Millwall at St Mary's on Saturday (15:00 BST).