Sekou Mara: Southampton sign teenage striker from Bordeaux
Mara was previously at Paris St-Germain and Boulogne-Billancourt before joining Bordeaux in 2017 Southampton have made a sixth signing of the summer by bringing in striker Sekou Mara from French club Bordeaux. The 19-year-old has signed a four-year contract with the Premier League club. Mara scored six goals in 26 league games last season as Bordeaux finished bottom of the French top flight. "Sekou is coming here to score goals," said Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl. "He has shown in the French league he can, now he needs to work hard and show he can do this in the Premier League." He added: "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." France Under-21 international Mara made his debut for Bordeaux in February 2021 and scored seven goals in 35 league games for the club. "I'm a young player and I have to work," he said. "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." He follows goalkeepers Gavin Bazunu and Mateusz Lis, defender Armel Bella-Kotchap as well as midfielders Romeo Lavia and Joe Aribo in joining Southampton this summer. Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.
Southampton sign Sekou Mara from Bordeaux on four-year deal
(AFP via Getty Images) Teenage striker Sekou Mara has signalled his intention to become “one of the best” after signing a four-year deal with Southampton. The Paris-born 19-year-old, a France Under-21 international, has completed his move from Bordeaux, subject to international clearance, after the two clubs agreed terms in principle last week. Mara told the club’s official website: “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. “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.” Mara, who scored six Ligue 1 goals last season, was previously on the books at Paris St Germain and Boulogne-Billancourt before joining Bordeaux in 2017. Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “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.” Mara is the club’s sixth summer signing, following goalkeepers Gavin Bazunu and Mateusz Lis, defender Armel Bella-Kotchap and midfielders Romeo Lavia and Joe Aribo to St Mary’s Stadium.
Sekou Mara: Southampton sign Senegal prospect from Bordeaux
The teenager will continue his professional career at the St. Mary’s Stadium following a move from the French elite division Premier League side Southampton have announced the signing of Sekou Mara from Bordeaux. Although the transfer fee is undisclosed, the 19-year-old penned a four-year contract with the Saints – meaning he will remain at the St. Mary’s Stadium until 2026. “Southampton Football Club is delighted to confirm the signing of Sékou Mara from Girondins de Bordeaux on a four-year deal, subject to international clearance,” a statement from the club website read. “The club announced an agreement in principle with the French side last week, and the player’s medical and relevant paperwork have since been completed.” Born in Paris, Mara began his youth career at PSG and Boulogne-Billancourt before joining Bordeaux in 2017 – where he signed his first professional contract. Growing through the Girondin's ranks, the forward made his senior debut aged 17 years in February 2021 before scoring his first professional goal in a 1–0 Ligue 1 win over Rennes on May 2, 2021. During the 2021-22 campaign, he scored six goals for Bordeaux and that attracted interest from a number of European clubs. Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl waxed lyrical about the arrival of the youngster: “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 told the club website.