Southampton have completed the signing of striker Che Adams from Birmingham City for a fee believed to be around £15m, making him the Saints' second signing of the summer.
A club statement read: "Southampton Football Club is delighted to announce it has reached an agreement to sign exciting young forward Che Adams, from Birmingham City.
Saints have seen off competition from a number of Premier League suitors to land the striker, who registered 22 goals and six assists in 48 appearances last season.
The 22-year-old, who was shortlisted for the Championship Player of the Year and named in the Team of the Season at the EFL Awards, has agreed a five-year contract at St Mary’s.
Adams burst on to the scene at Sheffield United, making his professional debut against Saints in the Capital One Cup as an 18-year-old back in 2014, before scoring twice in the semi-finals against Tottenham.
He swapped Bramall Lane for St Andrew’s in 2016, scoring 38 goals in 123 appearances for Birmingham, including two hat-tricks last season.
Adams becomes Ralph Hasenhüttl’s second summer signing, following in the footsteps of Mali international winger Moussa Djenepo – another young, pacey attacker set to test himself in the Premier League for the first time.
Saints boss Hasenhüttl said: “Che fits the profile of player we want to bring to Southampton and is very driven to show what he can do at the highest level.
“We have been monitoring his progress for some time now. He has shown a desire to join us above all other clubs, which shows the positive reputation Southampton has built for developing young players.
“I am delighted to have signed Che and Moussa ahead of the start of pre-season. They are both young, dynamic players with the level of enthusiasm and hunger we are looking for that can help us improve as a team.”
Adams commented: “I’m delighted. There was interest in January, when it didn’t quite happen, but I’m happy now that it’s all gone through.
“You can see with the track history – the amount of young players they’re playing, the gaffer’s belief in the young players, the squad in itself – where the club is going to be. I want to be part of that.”
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