How Damion Downs is getting on away from Southampton FC at Hamburg | OneFootball

Damion Downs' fortunes have not improved since his loan switch away from Southampton in January

It was an especially busy summer at St Mary's for Southampton, with the club once again preparing to adjust to life in the Championship after their second relegation from the Premier League in three years.

Will Still was handpicked by their ownership group, Sport Republic, to lead the Saints into their new era.

The former Reims and Lens boss had developed an excellent reputation for his tactical nous whilst in France and Belgium, and it was hoped that he could convert his expertise into the English game.

The likes of Leo Scienza, Caspar Jander, Finn Azaz, and Tom Fellows were all brought in for relatively large fees, having collected north of £100 million in the sales of Kamaldeen Sulemana, Mateus Fernandes, Tyler Dibling, and Jan Bednarek.

Whilst Scienza, Jander, Azaz, and Fellows have all played substantial minutes since their arrival, the same cannot be said for American striker Damion Downs, who was signed to lead the line in the Championship from German side FC Koln.

Six months after signing a four-year deal on the South Coast, the 21-year-old is already no longer with the club, so where is he now, and how is he getting on?

Damion Downs is now struggling at Hamburg after Southampton made January decision

Signed for a fee of around £7 million from FC Koln, the American scored ten goals and assisted five in 29 league games as the German outfit secured the second-tier title last season, something which he was hoping to repeat with Southampton.

Upon his arrival, Downs said, "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."

However, Downs would very quickly find himself out-of-favour with the Saints, starting just once in 11 appearances across the first half of the season, swiftly returning to Germany on loan with Hamburg in the top flight.

Since his move back to the country of his birth, the American youth international has failed to find any sort of form, in what is turning into a bit of a nightmare year for him.

He has yet to score in six Bundesliga appearances so far for Hamburg, with the club failing to find a victory in any of the times that Downs has stepped foot on the pitch.

Frustration from Hamburg supporters towards Downs is beginning to intensify, as the American's choice to move to Southampton and now Hamburg looks to be two bad decisions on his behalf.

Hamburg are in no immediate threat of relegation. However, they remain far from safe and must try to get the best out of Downs sooner rather than later to boost their hopes of survival.

Conversely, Downs' lack of form in front of goal is concerning, and he needs to find the confidence again that saw him hit double digits and fire Koln to a league title as recently as last season.

Damion Downs' long-term future at Southampton remains unclear

Upon his return to Southampton in the summer, Downs' future at the club is unclear.

Should the Saints remain in the Championship, there remains a chance that he could be reintegrated into the squad, especially with Ross Stewart out of contract, Cameron Archer's future in doubt, Cyle Larin only on loan, and Adam Armstrong having been sold in January.

If they make an immediate return to the Premier League, then it is highly doubtful that he will be a part of the club's plans for next year; having failed to make an impact in the Championship, it's likely he won't be trusted in the top flight.

With his form having not yet improved upon his return to Germany, it's a worrying sign for the Saints, who, at the moment, would likely recoup a minimal fee in comparison to what they paid for him less than a year ago.

Though still just 21, there is ample time for Downs to turn his fortunes upside down and rescue his Southampton career.