Southampton have signed Malian starlet Issa Tounkara, and it appears the midfielder had plenty of interest.
Southampton technical director Johannes Spors says the Saints beat “several top European academies” to a deal for teenager Issa Tounkara.
Southampton are a club renowned for signing top prospects and developing them into financial assets. The Saints fuelled their Premier League success through such an ethos.
While recent years have brought promotions and relegations, some great talents have still passed through the doors at St. Mary’s. And, they’ve just added another to their ranks, signing midfielder Issa Tounkara from Academie des Etoiles du Mande in his native Mali on a permanent basis.
Tounkara will officially link up with the Saints after he turns 18 this summer, and the club are delighted to get it done. Speaking upon confirmation of the deal, technical director Johannes Spors revealed the prospect had no shortage of European interest: “We’re delighted to welcome Issa to Southampton,” he said.
“He’s an exciting talent and there was interest from several top European academies, so we’re very pleased he has chosen us. He’ll now have the time and environment to continue his development within our Academy set-up when he arrives at Staplewood in the summer.”
Issa Tounkara marks a welcome coup for Southampton
Southampton have long been a club capable of tempting top prospects into their ranks. This isn’t the first time they’ve made notable academy coups, and it almost certainly won’t be the last.
Tounkara is only in the formative years of his career but he first caught the eye in the U17s Africa Cup of Nations. He captained Mali to the final and seemingly impressed a host of scouts along the way.
The Saints will hope to see Tounkara progress within their U18s and U21s groups with a view to breaking through at a senior level. There is a clear pathway for top young prospects to make a name for themselves on the South Coast and the new midfield starlet will hope to be the next.
First though, the club will see to helping Tounkara settle in England with a big move awaiting.
The first-team focus at Southampton
While the progression of youngsters to the first-team is central to success at Southampton, Tonda Eckert will be laser focused on maintaining the senior team’s form over the final weeks of the season.
A remarkable turnaround under German rookie Eckert has seen the Saints rise to 5th. Not only are they in a great position to finish in the play-offs, but an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City awaits too.
Southampton face Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night. They are unbeaten since January 17th and have won five Championship games in a row. Victory could move them within three points off 2nd if Portsmouth can spring a surprise against Ipswich Town.
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