SAINTS have announced the creation of a new under-21 women’s team for next season.

The new side comes after the success of the Girls’ Regional Talent Club over the past year.

It will offer "a sustainable pathway for young female players" and, a club statement adds, "strengthen Saints’ commitment to the women’s and girls’ game".

The team, which will be formed of 16 to 21-year-olds, will play against local and FA Women’s Super League development teams.

Executive director of football Les Reed said: "It's fantastic news. It just shows how rapidly the girls' and women's programme has taken off, and how quickly we've moved from negotiating the takeover of the County Centre of Excellence into a Regional Talent Club and now a women's team.

"It will be a very young women's team, which goes with our profile as a club – young players to develop for the future, but it will contain a number of international players and high-quality young girls who have got bright futures in the game, so it is very exciting indeed."

Head of women’s and girls’ football Martina Heath said: "It's massive what we've done this year, but we're not here to stand still.

"We had an amazing season this year with the Regional Talent Club, and we're really conscious that we wanted to continue to support the players who are exiting that programme.

"I think it's really important for the club to be offering a female player pathway throughout, and what's really pleasing is that the club has really supported things in terms of the women's and girls' programme."

The club is now welcoming registrations for trials from prospective players, who must be born between 1st September 1996 and 31st August 2001. Dates, and a registration form, can be found at southamptonfc.com.