Jan Bednarek and Cedric Soares react to big Southampton FC transfer update | OneFootball

Jan Bednarek and Cedric Soares have reacted to James Ward-Prowse's return to Southampton from West Ham United.

Former Southampton pair Jan Bednarek and Cedric Soares have reacted to James Ward Prowse's recent return to St Mary's.

Ward-Prowse spent 20 years with Southampton, and went on to become a club legend for his contribution to the first-team, where he had plenty of success.

He made 410 appearances for the Saints, and chipped in with 55 goals and 52 assists, whilst also winning the club's Player of the Season award twice.

Ward-Prowse left in favour of a move to West Ham United in 2023, but struggled for consistent game time with the Hammers, and spent time out on loan with Burnley and Nottingham Forest.

Southampton announced recently that the midfielder had returned to the club on a two-year deal, which was believed to be worth less than £1 million - a lot less than the £30 million the Irons paid to buy him in the first place.

Former Southampton pair react to Ward-Prowse's St Mary's return

Ward-Prowse's former Southampton team-mates Jan Bednarek and Cedric Soares reacted on Instagram to the midfielder's return to the club, and they are clearly delighted to see him back in red and white.

Bednarek spent eight years with the Saints himself, before departing the club in 2025, as he went on to sign for Portuguese giants, FC Porto, which is where he's currently playing his football after winning the Primeira Liga last season as a regular member of their starting 11.

Soares spent five years with Southampton whilst they were in the Premier League, and put in many a strong performance for the club, before going on to sign for Arsenal.

The full-back is currently on the books with Brazilian side, Sao Paulo, where he's made 60 appearances in total since 2025. It'll be pleasing for the Southampton fans to see their former players still keeping tabs on the club since leaving.

James Ward-Prowse will have promotion ambitions for Southampton return

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Southampton's season ended in frustration last term, as off-field developments saw them expelled from the Championship play-offs, which will have been tough to take after such an impressive second-half of the season under Tonda Eckert's management.

Ward-Prowse will have a point to prove with the Saints, as well as feeling as though he'll have unfinished business with his previously former side.

The 31-year-old is fondly remembered for his contributions to the club in previous years, and he's more than capable of replicating similar levels of performance this season in the second-tier of English football.

The pressure is on Southampton to return to Premier League after Spygate saga

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Southampton already had a strong squad that was capable of mounting a serious push for promotion back into the Premier League this season.

Eckert and his squad will have to deal with the weight of expectation that will be put on them to achieve promotion, especially after what happened last year with Spygate, and with Ward-Prowse arriving, that expectation will only go stronger.

He's a player that has a serious amount of talent, particularly from a dead-ball situation. The former England international doesn't have that much experience in the Championship, but he's shown his quality at a higher level in the Premier League, and so it's somewhat of a coup for the Saints to strike an agreement to land his signature.

Southampton take on Millwall on Saturday, in what is certain to be a tricky test for the Saints, with Millwall currently sitting top of the table with two wins from their opening two matches.