Southampton FC's Eckert teases Ward-Prowse's involvement | OneFootball

"I think he will get going straight away. I think he will give a lot of experience to us," said Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert. He was speaking to the Daily Echo.

James Ward-Prowse, 31, has rejoined on a two-year deal for a nominal fee from Championship rivals West Ham, three years after leaving for £30 million. The academy graduate and former captain made 410 appearances in his first spell.

"We've seen how much he can give to this football club. He was very clear on his wish to come back very early on. The timelines are what they are sometimes in a transfer window."

He becomes Southampton's seventh summer signing, adding depth in midfield. Eckert's side have been a player light since Shea Charles left for Fulham in a £30 million move earlier this month.

Ward-Prowse scored 55 goals and provided 52 assists in his first stint and will look to offer a goal threat from midfield again.

"We've had a look last year in terms of goal distributions that we have throughout different departments of our team. We wanted to add a different profile that can give an offensive threat from the middle of the pitch. I think the quality on set-pieces is something that is hard to find in this league and also a category higher up."

"It's about him as a character, him as a personality. From everything I've heard, he's an ultimate professional who lives that every single day. I think that's going to be a big benefit for us as a group."

Source: Daily Echo

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