SAINTS have added Ramello Mitchell to their youth ranks.

Mitchell, 16, has joined the club from Birmingham in the same week that the south coast side also signed Che Adams from the St Andrew’s outfit.

And, speaking to the official Southampton FC website, the striker revealed his ambition to follow in the footsteps of those who made their way into the first team.

"The club has brought through players like Gareth Bale, Walcott, Chamberlain, and I really believe that I could be one of the next players to be brought through," revealed Mitchell.

"Straight away when I looked at the club I felt that everybody was friendly. It just seemed like the right place for me to progress and go on my journey.

 

 

"It's a lovely club. I want to try my best here, do what I can do and hopefully it will go well."

Saints managed to beat off competition from a number of Premier League rivals to lad the highly thought of striker.

It was reported back in April by The Times that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side had agreed a £300,000 fee for the 16-year-old which could rise to £1m.

Mitchell was held in high esteem at Birmingham, having featured prolifically for their Under-18s.

With experience already in the bag, the forward is aiming to force his way into Saints’ first team as quickly as possible.

He added: "Ever since I was younger I've always wanted to play football.

"That's it really. I haven't had any other main focus. That's my dream.

"My aim is to score loads of goals as a striker, that's what I have to do, and hopefully by 18,19 I'll be in the first-team scoring loads of goals for them as well."

Saints’ director of football, Ross Wilson said: "We have worked to build a plan for the identification and acquisition of some elite talents from outside of our normal southern footprint, both nationally and from specific parts of Europe.

"While producing young talents who have been with us from an early age remains a key pillar of our Academy, we must also ensure we are open-minded in acquiring players in the older Professional Development Phase.

"This approach has been behind the recruitment of the likes of Yan Valery, Michael Obafemi, Enzo Robise, Allan Tchaptchet and Will Ferry. 

"Ramello is another example of that and a player with huge potential, and we are delighted to add him to our ranks."