Transfer Centre

Southampton confirm signing of forward Sekou Mara from Bordeaux

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 25 July 2022

Southampton complete the signing of 19-year-old forward Sekou Mara from Bordeaux on a four-year contract, subject to international clearance.

Southampton have completed the signing of teenage forward Sekou Mara from Bordeaux for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.

The 19-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-year contract at St Mary's after undergoing a medical with the club over the weekend.

Mara has become Ralph Hasenhuttl's sixth signing of the summer window after the arrivals of Gavin Bazunu, Romeo Lavia, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Joe Aribo and Mateusz Lis.

Speaking to Southampton's official website on his arrival at the club, Mara said: "I'm really happy to sign for Southampton and to be a Saint for the next years. Southampton have given me a good opportunity to progress.

Welcome, @S_Mvrv 🤝#SaintsFC is delighted to confirm the signing of Sékou Mara from @girondins, subject to international clearance:
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 25, 2022

"I'm a young player and I have to work. I think Southampton is the best club for me to develop myself and progress to be one of the best. I'm impatient to begin with this team and score goals."

Hasenhuttl added: "Sekou is coming here to score goals and has shown in the French league he can do this, now he needs to work hard and show he can do this in the Premier League.

"He is a young guy who will need time to adapt to a new country and a new league, but we are excited about his potential and what he can become in the future."

After spells with the academies of Paris Saint-Germain and Boulogne-Billancourt, Mara joined Bordeaux's youth system in 2017 before making his professional debut in February last year.

Ça va, @S_Mvrv? 👋 pic.twitter.com/ytbsTDJqGL
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 25, 2022

Mara ended the 2020-21 campaign featuring in their final five Ligue 1 matches of the season, contributing to three goals.

The forward then became a first-team regular for Bordeaux last season and scored six goals in 26 top-flight appearances, although Les Girondins were condemned to relegation for the first time since 1990-91.

Mara will now link up with Hasenhuttl's youthful-looking squad ahead of the 2022-23 campaign and will compete with the likes of Che Adams, Adam Armstrong and Theo Walcott for a place up front.

The Parisian-born attacker, who has two caps for the France Under-21 national team, could make his competitive debut for Southampton in their opening Premier League fixture of the new season away against Tottenham Hotspur on August 6.