[themaclad]

Southampton defender Juan Larios has joined Spanish second division side Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa on loan for the upcoming season.

The 21-year-old joined Saints from Manchester City in 2022 and has struggled with injuries since his arrival.

Larios has only played six times for the first team, with his last senior appearance a one-minute cameo in the Carabao Cup second round last season against Cardiff City.

The full-back has played for the Saints under-21s 16 times, assisting on one occasion.

[themaclad]

Southampton have signed US striker Damion Downs from German club FC Koln in a deal worth £7m.

The 21-year-old, 6ft 4ins forward was born in Germany but represents the United States internationally and has five senior caps so far.

He joined Koln's youth teams and after coming through the ranks made 42 appearances for the first team, scoring 13 goals and providing six assists.

Last season Koln were promoted from the second tier of German football to the Bundesliga.

In that campaign Downs played 32 times in all competitions, scoring 11 goals.

"Everybody plays football to win titles," Downs told the Saints website after agreeing a four-year contract.

"To win my first title at 20 last year was a great feeling, and I hope to repeat it again this year.

"I think Southampton is a big club that should be in the Premier League, and that's my goal – to help the team as much as I can to bring the club back to the Premier League."

Southampton captain Jack Stephens has signed a new three-year contract to extend his stay at the club.

The 31-year-old has been at Saints since 2011 and has made exactly 200 appearances for the first team.

Back in 2023, he signed a two-year deal and last season in the Premier League he made 19 appearances, scoring one goal.

During his time at Southampton he has left on loan a number of times, with spells at Swindon Town, Middlesbrough, Coventry City and most recently AFC Bournemouth in 2022.

"It's been an absolute privilege to play for this club and continues to be a privilege for me," Stephens said.

"I'm very proud to not only play for the club but to captain the club as well, so it's an amazing feeling for me and my family to carry on the journey here and hopefully we've got plenty of good times to come."

Stephens was made captain two years ago and lifted the Championship play-off final trophy at Wembley in 2024 after Saints beat Leeds to win promotion.

"Jack has been an important figure for the club on and off the pitch over many years," technical director Johannes Spors said.

"We value both the quality and leadership that he brings and we see him continuing to be an influential part of the squad moving forward, so we're pleased to have reached this agreement to extend his long association with Southampton."

[themaclad]

Defender Jan Bednarek has left Southampton after eight years at St Mary's to sign for Porto on a permanent deal.

The Poland international, who joined Saints from Lech Poznan in 2017, made 254 appearances for the club in all competitions and scored 11 goals.

Bednarek was a key figure in the Southampton side that won the Championship play-offs in 2024 before being relegated a year later.

The 29-year-old, who has won 69 caps for his country, featured in the 2018 World Cup, as well as two European Championships as a Saints player.

He also played in the 2022 World Cup during a five-month loan spell at Aston Villa, for whom he made three Premier League appearances.

Southampton said in a statement:, external "Everyone at Southampton Football Club would like to thank Jan for his years of dedication both on and off the pitch and wish him every success in the future."