Article body analysed

Azaz joins Saints for an initial £12m that could rise to £14m with add-ons Southampton have signed Middlesbrough attacking midfielder Finn Azaz on a four-year-deal. The 24-year-old has joined for an initial fee of £12m that could rise to £14m with add-ons, reports BBC Radio Solent. In 93 appearances, Azaz has registered 46 goal contributions in the second tier for Boro and Plymouth Argyle. Azaz joined Middlesbrough from Aston Villa in January 2024 and played 68 games for the club, scoring 17 goals and contributing 17 assists. "It feels amazing, obviously it's been talked about for a little while, " Azaz told the Southampton website, external. "I'm really happy to be here and I'm really, really excited to prove I can play for a Premier League club. "I know we're in the Championship now, but we're trying to operate at Premier League level to ultimately get promoted, win the league and get back to the Premier League. " Southampton's group technical director Johannes Spors said: "Finn is a player with tremendous ability who will bring extra creativity to boost our attacking options. "He is a proven performer in the Championship, and we look forward to seeing him continue his impressive development here at Southampton. " This video can not be played Will Still gives the latest news on incomings at Southampton Saints boss Will Still described his latest signing as a "proven" player in the Championship, while Azaz has also won seven caps for Republic of Ireland at international level. The playmaker represents the latest addition to the squad following the high-profile departures of Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes. "His stats speak for themselves, " Still told BBC Radio Solent. "He's a proven goalscorer and assister in the Championship, he has scored and has been important for every team that he has played at. "He has always been available between lines, he gets in the box and is able to anticipate things before most people. "He is often in a space where he is able to turn and look forward, he can be very important. " Saints have also agreed a deal to sign West Bromwich Albion's Tom Fellows and are also in talks to sign German central midfielder Caspar Jander from FC Nuremberg. Reports have suggested, external they are also close to reaching an agreement for Heidenheim winger Leo Scienza. Southampton agree deals to sign Azaz and Fellows Listen to Southampton content on BBC Sounds Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Alexander-Arnold set to be dropped by England Mourinho sacked by Fenerbahce after CL exit Europa and Conference League: British teams find out their European fate in draws Preview the new series of Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams Hugh Bonneville narrates Sherlock Holmes’ greatest cases Reflecting on the 'kamikaze' attacks of World War II A cricket match-fixing scandal that stumped the sport Sutton's predictions v The Cut star Orlando Bloom and AI 'What a race! ' - Hunter Bell runs PB but denied win in thrilling finish. Video'What a race! ' - Hunter Bell runs PB but denied win in thrilling finish First step to end Isak saga? Newcastle close in on Woltemade The week Scottish football had its heart broken four times over Weekly sports quiz: Vuelta, haircuts & record transfers Watch as 10-man Aberdeen falter in Europa League play-off to FCSB. Video Watch as 10-man Aberdeen falter in Europa League play-off to FCSB 'Ireland can still improve despite opening win' Asher-Smith claims two top-three finishes in same night in Zurich. Video Asher-Smith claims two top-three finishes in same night in Zurich Grimsby send fans wild on famous night for club 'Humiliating! ' Club Brugge thump 10-man Rangers 6-0. Video'Humiliating! ' Club Brugge thump 10-man Rangers 6-0 'Bradley avoids sporting masochism to make Europe's Ryder Cup harder' 'It's very bleak' - what's gone wrong at West Ham? In decline or in transition? Hamilton's Ferrari start analysed What next for NFL's most controversial draft pick? In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week 'People looked at me like I was a something, not someone' Teenager Ngumoha scores last-minute winner as Liverpool beat Newcastle. Video Teenager Ngumoha scores last-minute winner as Liverpool beat Newcastle What does your club need before transfer window shuts? The making of Spain and Arsenal's humble magician Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.