SAINTS have completed the signing of former Arsenal defender Zach Awe, who pens a three-year contract at St Mary’s.

The 19 year old centre-back departed the Gunners this summer having progressed through the youth ranks in his hometown.

Awe stands at least six-foot three-inches tall and has a reputation as a ball-playing defender having made 31 appearances for Arsenal in Premier League 2.

Awe, who met with academy director Andy Goldie as he completed his media duties at Staplewood on Tuesday, will initially join the under-21s but has a pathway to break into Russell Martin’s side.

Speaking after signing his Saints deal, Awe said: "It's amazing, it's something I have been looking forward to for a very long time.

"Leaving Arsenal and seeing how Southampton play under Russell (Martin) and the plan, I'm very excited to join.

"Obviously (the under-21s) won the league last year so it will be good to be part of that group and help improve the team and win some more games."

Academy director, Andy Goldie, added: "We are excited to see what Zach can achieve here at Southampton Football Club.

"He's a player who we believe will not only thrive within the club-wide game model and our player development strategy, but also enhance the depth of talent we have in the 2023-24 season.

"We hope he will be able to maximise the opportunities that his new teammates have grabbed last season and during pre-season so far."

Awe has already tested himself against EFL opposition with four appearances in the EFL Trophy before an eventual 3-2 defeat to Stevenage in the knockout rounds.

The defender scored an important leveller just after half-time as Arsenal went on the beat Northampton Town 3-1 and secure passage out of the group stages.

Awe was named on Mikel Arteta's Premier League bench for a fixture at Wolves in February 2022, and is also comfortable deployed in defensive-midfield.