Former Blues midfielder Flynn Downes has joined his former loan club Southampton from West Ham United on a permanent basis, despite Town targeting a reunion with the 25-year-old.

Downes spent last season with the Saints, helping them to promotion to the Premier League.

St Mary’s had always looked his most likely destination during the close season, however, as previously reported, Town showed strong interest, and we understand their pursuit continued even up to the end of last week.

But ultimately Brentwood-born Downes opted for a return to Hampshire, signing a contract until 2028 for an initial fee understood to be in the region of £15 million.

“We’re thrilled to bring Flynn back. It was a big priority for us this summer and to get it done early in pre-season is also really important for us,” manager Russell Martin told his club’s official site.

“He was such an influential player for us last season, both on and off the pitch. He’s a brilliant character, he’s aggressive and physical in his play, technically excellent with the ball and a fantastic athlete too.

“He built really strong relationships with the rest of the players and the staff, and I think you could tell the connection he created with the fans throughout last season, so I’m sure everyone’s delighted at the news.

“I know how excited and hungry he is about making the step up to the Premier League with us, and he’s someone who I really believe is more than ready for that transition and who can also continue to develop even more with us.”

Downes added: “It feels so good, honestly. Walking in this morning, seeing a few familiar faces, it was a real pleasure.

“Being a part of it last year, it was so good. The whole club, the people, I think everything about it is so special.

“I feel like when you connect with people like that, such genuine people, and I'm talking about the whole club here, it's so hard not to want to be a part of that.

“Now I just feel like I can fully settle down here, try and get better, try and play my best football here and help the team be a success.”

Town and the Saints also both targeted striker Liam Delap but on tht occasion the Blues won out with the former Hull City loan man signing from Manchester City last week.

Photo: Matchday Images

Tampa_Florida_Blue added 22:53 - Jul 16 IMHO. I don’t think he was a good fit. I’m not saying his skills are bad as I think he is decent, but I was more concerned with the dressing room mentality was at risk. He is to interested in me me me and not us us us
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bobble added 06:43 - Jul 17 has he got some sort of hair abnormality ?
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poet added 07:34 - Jul 17 No loss. I have always been of the opinion that he isn’t Premier League material. He’s a decent Championship player, but in my opinion, that’s where he belongs. His goal scoring record from midfield is extremely low, his opinion of himself is far too high. At Ipswich, he sulked when he didn’t get a move to Palace. Their manager at the time, Roy Hodgson, offered in the region of 1m and said that if he bought him, he’d put him out on loan to a Championship club. That all fell through. West Ham, backed out. His eventual move to West Ham found him in a squad where he just wasn’t good enough to make the grade. He was one of David Moyes’ mistakes.

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SussexTractor added 07:55 - Jul 17 £15 million for the incredible sulk - what a joke. Didn’t make it in the premier league with West Ham and overrated by Town fans that wanted him back.
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mudiem added 08:03 - Jul 17 Heartbroken. FD would have been my number 1 target
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branchini1979 added 08:13 - Jul 17 I believe it is right for him not to come here but... It is a position no one talks about but one we need and thats CM or more specifically DMC. Morsy & Luongo are not getting any younger, and look at the yellow cards Morsy got in championship!! With the extra pace and intensity of the prem defensive midfield is even more important and think we need a younger player in there too

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Radlett_blue added 08:55 - Jul 17 Lots of sour grapes on here about a player who had the temerity to wish to leave Town to further his career. He's on PL money so I think he's doing all right.
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PositivelyPortman added 10:36 - Jul 17 He tries so hard to be the Roy Keane of the team, but hasn’t got the skills. He was a failure at Wet Spam and ended up at Southampton. He’ll struggle in the Premier league again now is my guess. Not sour grapes, even when he was at Ipswich I never rated him.
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PositivelyPortman added 10:37 - Jul 17 He tries so hard to be the Roy Keane of the team, but hasn’t got the skills. He was a failure at Wet Spam and ended up at Southampton. He’ll struggle in the Premier league again now is my guess. Not sour grapes, even when he was at Ipswich I never rated him.
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carlo88 added 10:39 - Jul 17 You lot are weird; I got absolute pelters on here for saying a few months ago I never really rated him, now most of you are saying exactly the same!
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Lukeybluey added 12:33 - Jul 17 In other news we've just signed Muric
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Linkboy13 added 16:59 - Jul 17 Good player not sure if he's Premier league quality found it very hard at West Ham. Won't be booing him like some of the morons on here good luck to him.
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oldelsworthyfan added 09:07 - Jul 18 God for both him and us - he would not fit here.
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