CHE Adams’s definition of the word ‘safe’ is more than likely different to everyone else’s.

As part of a tradition within professional football, new signings have to sing a song in front of the entire squad.

Initiations like this have become commonplace, although Adams isn’t sticking with the norm.

A slow song is normally picked to help combat the nerves but Saints’ £15m striker is jumping straight in at the deep end.

“I’ve not sung my initiation song yet,” revealed Adams.

“My last one [at Birmingham] wasn’t that good but I’m hoping to make it better this year.

“I think I’m going to play it safe by singing Will Smith – Fresh Prince of Bel Air.”

The 22-year-old arrives on the south coast having taken the Championship by storm last season.

Adams bagged 22 goals throughout the campaign and topped it off by being named as Birmingham’s player of the year.

Despite his recent success, it could have turned out very differently for Saints’ newest addition.

Aged 14, Adams was released by Coventry City and dropped back down to the bowels of non-league with Oadby Town.

From here, he had two options: either pack football in or fall back in love with the game again.

Luckily for Birmingham, Sheffield United and Saints, he chose the latter.
Adams added: “I was at Coventry as a youngster and then went for the non-league route.

“I managed to do well down there and get myself into Sheffield United. I was there for three years and then I moved to Birmingham and now I’m here.

“I maintained my belief which is something that I think the majority do.

“Some players go under the radar and choose different routes, but I wanted to stick with it because I love football.

“At that age, it’s quite hard knowing who is going to do what and where they will move on to.

“It’s definitely benefitted me.”

With his first week at Saints behind him, Adams will today fly out to manager Ralph Hasenhuttl’s native Austria for a week-long training camp.

It will be a chance for Adams to not only get to know his teammates better but to gain an idea of how Hasenhuttl wants him to play.

The week will culminate with the club’s first pre-season friendly against SCR Altach on Sunday where the striker could make his Saints bow.

And although he has only spent a short amount of time with his new manager, Adams said it didn’t take him long to convince him to sign on the dotted line.

“My first impressions were really good because I’ve signed here,” Adams explained.

“I spoke to him a bit before the transfer was going on and really liked what he was saying, and I wanted to be a part of that.

“He likes playing young players and has got a young squad, so he isn’t scared in that department.

“That’s something that really appealed to me.”

Now that the real work is about to begin to prepare for next season, Adams is delighted he has the maximum amount of time to prepare for life in the Premier League.

The former Birmingham star added: “We have only had a couple of training sessions but it’s good that I have joined before pre-season.

“It means I can get a full pre-season under my belt and see where I’m at after that.”

When questioned with what fans can expect from him next season, Adams responded: “I will put a lot of hard work in for the team and, hopefully, score a lot of goals.

“General all-around play, bringing people in, scoring goals and helping others score.”