Southampton have completed the signing of young French U21 striker Sekou Mara from Bordeaux. The transfer fee was undisclosed (but rumoured to be around £11m) and Mara, 19, has put pen to paper a four-year contract at St.Mary’s.
The teenager, son of famous French TV presenter Audrey Crespo, broke into the Bordeaux first team in the second half of the 20/21 season. He scored six goals for Girondins in the 21/22 season, but couldn’t prevent them from dropping down to Ligue 2. Financial issues caused by relegation were allegedly a major reason for Bordeaux to let go of the promising youngster.
Mara has been capped by France at U21 level and becomes Southampton’s sixth signing of the summer transfer window after Gavin Bazunu , Mateusz Lis, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Romeo Lavia and Joe Aribo. Saints were not the only Premier League club interested in securing his services- the likes of Leeds and Newcastle were also reportedly monitoring his progress.
The youngster will wear the No.18 shirt at Southampton. The jersey was worn by Armando Broja last season. Southampton will start the new PL campaign with a trip to London to take on Tottenham Hotspur, followed by a home clash against Leeds.
Also Get the very Latest Football Transfer News, Rumours and Gossip direct to your email.