Contract extension, purchase obligation, first reactions: Taylor Harwood-Bellis joins Southampton on loan

Manchester City centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis has completed a Deadline Day move to Southampton.

The 21-year-old moves to St Mary’s on a season-long loan, with the transfer to Southampton becoming the defender’s fourth Sky Bet Championship club, after previous spells at Blackburn, Stoke City and Burnley.

Harwood-Bellis helped Vincent Kompany’s Burnley to Premier League promotion last season, making 35 appearances for the Clarets.

The centre-back is the latest City Football Academy star to move to Southampton; following Gavin Bazunu, Romeo Lavia, Sam Edozie, Juan Larios and Shea Charles.

Southampton, who are managed by Russell Martin, were relegated from the top-flight last season, and are bidding to win promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Harwood-Bellis has made eight previous first-team appearances for Manchester City, and after the England U21 international completed a Deadline Day move to Southampton, here is everything you need to know about the transfer!

What are the terms of the Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Southampton Deal?

Taylor Harwood-Bellis has joined Southampton on a season-long loan, with the potential for the 21-year-old to move to St Mary’s permanently for £20 million, should the Saints get promoted to the Premier League.

The centre-back has also signed a new contract with Manchester City until 2025, preventing the Englishman from leaving for free next summer.

What has Taylor Harwood-Bellis said upon joining Southampton?

Upon completing a season-long loan move to Southampton, the defender said: “I’m really happy to be here and can’t wait to get going.

“The willingness from their side to get me in the door and when I spoke to the manager and Jason [Wilcox] I think it was straight after then that I knew.

“I felt the warmth of the manager and he explained to me exactly what he wants to do and the ambitions of the club that suited exactly where I am in my career and where I want to be going forward, and I can hopefully do it under the manager here.

“I want to win, I obviously had a taste of that this summer, but my aspiration is to become a better footballer as well, and I feel like I can do that along the way and learn different styles and different ways to play football and I feel like the manager, the staff and the team here can help me do that.”

What have Southampton said about the deal?

Southamton’s Director of Football Jason Wilcox, who previously worked at Manchester City, said: “Taylor arrives with experience beyond his years, including a vast amount of games at Championship level which includes lifting the title last season.

“He’s someone who can help us immediately but also has huge potential to continue developing.

“Taylor’s attributes make him a perfect fit for our system and how we want to play, and I have no doubt he’ll prove to be a valuable addition.”