Southampton have confirmed the signing of Cameron Archer from Aston Villa on a four-year contract.
The transfer means the 22-year-old joins his third club of the summer, having finished the season with Sheffield United.
He had joined the Blades from Villa in the summer of 2023 but there was a clause in his contract that allowed him to return to Villa Park following their relegation last season.
Archer re-signed in June and has featured heavily in pre-season for Unai Emery’s side but has now moved on to St Mary’s.
The Saints wrote on their website: ‘The talented young striker, 22, arrives at St Mary’s to boost Russell Martin’s attacking options at the dawn of the 2024/25 season. Premier League Campaign.
A Villa Academy graduate, Archer scored a hat-trick on his first senior start in a 2021 EFL Cup tie, before enjoying successful loan spells in the Sky Bet Championship with Preston North End and Middlesbrough.
‘After helping England win the European Under-21 Championship alongside captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis last summer, Archer left Villa Park for Sheffield United, getting his first taste of regular Premier League football.
‘The striker returned to the Midlands in June, had a strong showing in pre-season and now joins up with the Saints squad in time to travel with the team for the season opener at Newcastle.’
