itsbeautifuloutside

Introduction

After the huge number of signings last season, several of which never even got much of a look in, there has been a big turnover with several leaving. When the window finally shut, there were eight senior signings - Ryan Manning, Shea Charles, Joe Lumley, loan signings Flynn Downes, Ryan Fraser, Mason Holgate, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and last of all Ross Stewart was signed from Sunderland just as the window was closing. The January window saw two more loan signings, both from AFC Bournemouth, Joe Rothwell and David Brooks.

Embed from Getty Images

Ryan Manning

Signed: Tuesday 11th July 2023
Nationality: Republic of Ireland
Position: Left Back
Age: 27
Previous Club: Free Agent (Swansea)
Notes: Arriving at Swansea in 2020, Manning featured in the Championship play-off final against Brentford in his debut season and later became a key figure under Martin, with five goals and ten assists last season, developing a reputation as one of the most creative players in the league.

Embed from Getty Images

Shea Charles

Signed: Wednesday 12th July 2023
Nationality: Northern Ireland
Position: Midfielder
Age: 19
Previous Club: Manchester City
Notes: A Northern Ireland international, Charles already has eight senior caps to his name and made his Premier League debut in City’s final game of last season against Brentford, having joined the Academy at the age of seven.

Embed from Getty Images

Joe Lumley

Signed: Monday 7th August 2023
Nationality: English
Position: goalkeeper
Age: 28
Previous Club: Middlesbrough
Notes: Lumley has amassed over 200 career appearances, including over 150 games in the Championship. Born in Harlow, Essex, he joined Tottenham Hotspur at the age of 10 spending six years there before switching to Queen’s Park Rangers where he made his debut at the age of 20. Loan spells followed, including Bristol Rovers & Blackpool, before he was recalled to start a run of 46 games for QPR. In 2021, he joined Middlesbrough and for the 2022-23 season, Lumley made a loan move to Reading.

Embed from Getty Images

Flynn Downes

Signed: Monday 21st August 2023
Nationality: English
Position: midfielder
Age: 24
Parent Club: West Ham
Notes: Signed on a loan deal for the remainder of the season, Flynn started his career at Ipswich Town, which included a brief spell at Luton Town. In 2021 he was signed by Swansea where Russell Martin was manager, before moving to West Ham in the summer of 2022. He has made 184 senior appearances across all four clubs, scoring four times.

Embed from Getty Images

Ryan Fraser

Signed: Friday 25th August 2023
Nationality: Scottish
Position: winger
Age: 29
Parent Club: Newcastle
Notes: Signed on a loan deal for the remainder of the season. He started his professional career at Aberdeen, known by most Saints fans for his seven years on the books at Bournemouth, which included a loan stint at Ipswich. Moved to Newcastle, but has fallen out of favour and has not played much in the way of competitive football since October last year. Has a lot to prove.

Embed from Getty Images

Mason Holgate

Signed: Friday 25th August 2023
Nationality: English
Position: Defender
Age: 26
Parent Club: Everton
Notes: Signed on a loan deal for the remainder of the season. He started his professional career at Barnsley, before signing for Everton in 2015, where he has been ever since bar a short loan period with West Brom in 2020. Has played for England U21's and can play in central defence and also right-back

Embed from Getty Images

Taylor Harwood-Bellis

Signed: Friday 1st September 2023
Nationality: English
Position: Defender
Age: 21
Parent Club: Manchester City
Notes: On loan to Championship-winning Burnley last season, it has been something of a coup to get him on loan for this season, together with an obligation to buy for £20M, if Saints get promoted. An England U21 defender, he has been with Manchester City since the age of six and should be a key player for this season and beyond.

Embed from Getty Images

Ross Stewart

Signed: Friday 1st September 2023
Nationality: Scottish
Position: Forward
Age: 27
Previous Club: Sunderland
Notes: Finally signed on deadline day, it has been said that he was Russell Martin's number one target in the transfer window. A Scottish International and prolific scorer, he comes with a caveat, in that he is still recovering from an Achilles injury, but is in light training at the moment. He became an instant hit at Sunderland when he scored after 17 minutes of his first match for them, earning himself the nickname the 'Loch Ness Drogba' from the fans

Embed from Getty Images

Jo Rothwell

Signed: Monday 15th January 2024
Nationality: English
Position: Midfielder
Age: 29
Parent Club: AFC Bournemouth
Notes: Boasting a mixture of Premier League and Championship experience, Joe Rothwell adds yet more depth to Russell Martin’s side ahead of a crucial run-in. Prior to his two seasons at Bournemouth, he had excelled in the Championship at the heart of Blackburn Rovers midfield. For four seasons he became a mainstay at Ewood Park. The 2021/22 season was his last at the club, where he achieved his highest Championship finish of 8th and accumulated his best-attacking return with a combined 14 goals and assists.

David Brooks

Signed: Tuesday 30th January 2024
Nationality: English
Position: Winger
Age: 26
Parent Club: AFC Bournemouth
Notes: Wales international David Brooks insisted, "I wanted to be playing regular minutes" after completing his loan transfer to Saints. The 26-year-old joins on a deal until the end of the season, becoming the second addition to the squad during the January transfer window. With 27 senior caps to his name, Brooks has made 114 appearances and scored 20 goals for Bournemouth since arriving at the club in 2018 from Sheffield United.