Southampton are preparing for a return to the Premier League this summer but they are a club who always keep one eye on the future.
Russell Martin has looked to address the lack of top flight experience in the Southampton squad with the signings of veteran pair Adam Lallana and Charlie Taylor.
However, the club have still continued in their approach of signing talented young players destined for bright futures with the permanent capture of centre-backs Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Ronnie Edwards; 22 and 21 respectively.
The recruitment strategy of cherry-picking players from England’s elite academies by providing them with a first-team pathway is one that has been fruitful for Southampton, with Roméo Lavia and Tino Livramento just two recent examples of this.
The club acted again last summer to pick up a promising young defender from Arsenal and he has just secured a loan move to gain vital first-team experience next season.
Southampton defender Zach Awe joins Accrington Stanley on loan
Zach Awe joined Southampton last summer, with the highly-rated centre-back deciding not to sign a contract at Arsenal.
Recent history would suggest this was a wise move from the 20-year-old, with Bukayo Saka the only Arsenal academy product who regularly starts for the club whilst Southampton have provided a pathway for the likes of Samuel Edozie, Shea Charles and Gavin Bazunu.
Despite being considered a real coup for the Saints, Awe is yet to have his first taste of senior football but that is about to change as Southampton have confirmed that Awe will spend next season on loan at League Two club Accrington Stanley.
Accrington Stanley finished 17th in League Two last season but are hoping for a better showing this campaign.
Why Accrington Stanley is right move for Awe
Southampton boss Martin has a very particular brand of football that demands a lot from his centre-backs, who are deemed crucial to the way the side builds from the back.
Awe is very good on the ball, owing to his footballing education at Arsenal, and seems to fit the bill for a centre-back under Martin, but will not be able to continue his development in the Premier League.
Therefore, a loan deal is the best option at this stage of the youngster’s career and Accrington Stanley could be a perfect fit.
The Saints are very particular with where they loan their young players to, ensuring the club is the right fit and play a similar style to Southampton.
Speaking on the signing of Awe to the official club website, Accrington Stanley manager John Doolan’s comments reveal why the League Two outfit could be the perfect place for Awe to get ready to return to Martin’s Southampton.
Doolan said: “Zach’s another one who we’ve done our work on. Phillip Wright, the Loans Manager at Southampton, has been first-class with us and it’s been great.
“Southampton are renowned, especially now with Russell Martin, for playing football and everyone saw how they got promoted this year, so Zach fits our profile in terms of what we want in both boxes, but also he can handle the ball.
“We want to play football, the lads have played some really good stuff, and Zach comes straight in.”
Doolan went on to explain why he wanted Awe so much, saying: “He can pass, he can break lines, he’s aggressive, and he’s scored goals.
“He fits everything, ticks all of those boxes, so now we just want to keep that development going and send him back to Southampton a better player, and also he’ll definitely go back a better person.”
This looks a really promising move for Awe and he will hope he can get a season of invaluable senior football under his belt ready to try and impress Martin next summer.