Defender snubs Crystal Palace for Southampton and reveals why | OneFootball

Southampton have confirmed the signing of Harris Afzal

Southampton are in the mix for promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

The Saints finished bottom of the top flight table 12 months ago, but are flying again under Tonda Eckert after a shaky start to life in the Championship.

The Hampshire outfit are the in-form side in the league, but there are only a few games remaining to secure their place inside the top six.

Eckert’s side have also earned their place in the FA Cup semi-finals, where they will face Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.

Southampton beat Premier League leaders Arsenal in the quarter-finals to book their place in the final four, but it might not be their only trip to the home of the England national team this season.

And there could even potentially be a chance to earn a top two finish, if they can maintain their form to the end of the campaign and take advantage of any errors from Ipswich Town in second.

Harris Afzal opens up on Southampton switch

Southampton have confirmed the signing of Harris Afzal from Scottish side Queen’s Park following a protracted battle to bring him to St. Mary’s.

The youngster spent time on trial with the Saints, but was also linked with a move to Crystal Palace.

But the 16-year-old has confirmed that he saw a move to the Hampshire outfit as his best chance at progressing following confirmation that he put pen to paper on a contract.

The teenager revealed how impressed he was with everything at Southampton from his time on trial, and he is now looking forward to making the switch from Queen’s Park.

"When I came down I thought it was a really good atmosphere, I liked all the lads and the coaches and I thought it was a really good set-up,” said Afzal, via the club’s website.

“I feel like that's where I can see myself progressing."

Afzal has not broken into the first team at Queen’s Park, but he has already been selected for the bench in the Scottish Championship on a number of occasions.

It’s been confirmed by Southampton that he will initially join the U18 side when he officially arrives in the summer.

However, he will be viewed as a potential first team player in the future if he can continue his development under Andrew Surman.

It was previously reported that Southampton agreed a deal worth around £40,000 for the signing of Afzal, who is capable of playing at left-back.

The Saints have earned a reputation for promoting younger players, and Afzal will now be looking to join that list in the years to come.

Harry Afzal signing is a ringing endorsement of Southampton’s development plans

Jay Robinson has become the latest player to become a regular of the Southampton first team after coming through the academy.

Tyler Dibling last year was a standout talent in the Premier League for the Saints after playing at underage level, and there is a long line of former academy stars that made it at the highest level.

Afzal’s arrival is a ringing endorsement of his confidence in Southampton being able to offer him that kind of pathway when the time is right.

That they were able to fend off Crystal Palace for his signature is a promising sign for the club, and he could yet become an important player for the first team in the years to come.