Former Blues midfielder Flynn Downes has joined Southampton on loan for the season from West Ham United.

The 24-year-old is reunited with his former Swansea boss Russell Martin at St Mary’s having been taken to Wales from Town for £1.4 million in the summer of 2021.

That figure was boosted by a further around £1.5 million when Downes joined the Hammers, who he supported as a boy, last summer for an initial £9 million with Town having had a 20 per cent sell-on in the original deal.

“The ambition for the club is obviously to get promoted, to get back in the Premier League, and that enticed me a lot,” Downes told the Saints’ official website.

“Obviously I’ve worked with the gaffer before. Him, Gilly [former Town first-team coach Matt Gill, now Southampton assistant manager], Deano [Dean Thornton, goalkeeping coach], Ben [Parker, first-team tactics & insights analyst], I’ve worked with them and I know what they’re about.

“Their attention to detail, the way they play, what they demand of us players – it’s just such a good environment to be in, so it’s a no brainer really.”

Director of football Jason Wilcox added: “Flynn is a really dynamic player and someone who will add a lot of quality in midfield.

“He’s got a great relationship with Russell and his coaching staff already, which means he also comes in with a real understanding of the system and how we want to play, which is ideal for both us and him.

“He’s a young guy, but with plenty of experience already, including in the Premier League, so he’s coming here at a good point in his career and is someone who can help us now but who also has that potential to continue developing.”

Academy product Downes will come up against the Blues when Town travel to St Mary’s on Tuesday 19th September.

We understand the Blues had a tentative look at the possibility of bringing Downes back to Portman Road on loan early in the summer but the matter got no further than that.

Photo: Matchday Images

arc added 17:25 - Aug 21 Such a shame for Flynn that he didn't come up with ITFC when KMc was manager—he would have got so much more out of him. (Also: that Southampton shirt is a horror—it looks like a tea towel!)
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oldelsworthyfan added 17:37 - Aug 21 Over rated. Three clubs already since leaving us.
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oldelsworthyfan added 17:37 - Aug 21 Over rated. Three clubs already since leaving us.
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TractorfactorSteve added 17:57 - Aug 21 If their coaching staff are so good how cme they were relegsted? Downes'talks cliche bs.
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TractorfactorSteve added 17:58 - Aug 21 Ooops. Got some keys missing.
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Suffolkboy added 18:30 - Aug 21 Come on you Blues ! — the realty is we all hope he matures into a super player and mid field character ,who will prosper in his career ! IT IS a shame we didn’t get to see him under KMcK who for sure would have drawn out the very best in FD ! COYB
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MickMillsTash added 18:41 - Aug 21 Let's judge him on the 19th His performance away to Tranmere when he single handedly pulled us back from being 1-0 was as good as it could get at that level. Accrington away when he got sent off in the cup was the ultimate of bell-endery. Pace, power aggression - not sure how many goals he has In him. Decent signing.
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Wacko added 19:03 - Aug 21 Also TractorfacterSteve, Russell Martin and his team weren't in charge when they were relegated
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chepstowblue added 19:24 - Aug 21 Football is a non sensical sport which borders on the totally insane. That somebody of Flynn Downes limited ability ever made it to the premier league is the clearest indicator yet that the footballing world has gone mad....and went even madder after covid. Even when he was playing for us, and the less enlightened raved about him, I used to think that as an opposing fan; apart from chasing shadows and the odd ill timed tackle, you wouldn't notice him on the pitch !!

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Billericay12 added 19:30 - Aug 21 Didn’t really shine in League One, did OK at Swansea which I suppose is why West Ham bought him but I never believed he was good enough for Premier League. I wouldn’t swap him for Morsy or Luongo in a million years. I agree that he may have improved under Kmc and wish him well but glad we didn’t resign him.
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Linkboy13 added 20:10 - Aug 21 Always thought he was a good player but sometimes questioned his attitude. Don't think he's up Premier league quality though but that doesn't make him a bad player as some numpties think on here. Much better player than Dozzell who offers absolutely nothing.
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terryf added 22:25 - Aug 21 My lasting memory of Downes was us having a free kick on the halfway line and he decided to play it back to Nsiala who then managed to get himself in all sorts of trouble. So from being in a positive situation we ended up nearly conceding a goal. His temper also got him into trouble and I remember one game where he ran around like headless chicken and was lucky not be sent off. I think at the time he wanted away which eventually happened. Shame he never got to play under McKenna who most certainly would have made him a better player. Not sure that he'd get into our midfield now though and clearly never took the Premiership by storm at West Ham!.

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Cadiar added 23:50 - Aug 21 Underwhelming at WH. Always thought he had an inflated opinion of himself but he was in a poor Ipswich team. Bit similar to the lad who went to Lincoln in attitude who's name I can't even remember.
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ArnieM added 07:37 - Aug 22 Journeyman Downes on his 3rd club. At 24 he’s not a “ youngster” anymore.
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Bert added 09:08 - Aug 22 Let’s be honest, he and Dozzell saw the nightmare that was happening at PR and made decisions in their own interests. Who can blame them but as others have said, Downes did not look like an aspiring PL player so his journey continues. I wish him well.
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Tractor_Boy_Tommy added 09:27 - Aug 22 Oh dear Flynn how that for karma
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:37 - Aug 22 whilst Kieran may well have broght out more from him i dont think he would have fitted in imo there was a disruptive element about him , Thankfully we have a team playing for each other now .
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blueboy1981 added 13:13 - Aug 22 Lets not be concerned about who goes elsewhere - but Who comes to us !! If we want to finish this Season as the Pride of East Anglia and the indisputable better end of the A140 - we need to strengthen our Squad with a couple of Signings NOW !! Remember these Words …. !!!
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mathiemagic added 13:44 - Aug 22 Good riddance as far as I am concerned. Bad attitude and would not want him back.
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marinermyhero added 17:45 - Aug 22 Here here blues 1981 I said it before why put a article about a ex player moving to another team who cares ok if the ex player dies that understandable
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runningout added 17:45 - Aug 22 Good luck to FD
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Kirbmeister added 17:27 - Aug 23 Bang average. Would never get in this Ipswich squad. Great at passing sideways and backwards and that’s about it.
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