RETURNING Saints star Theo Walcott admitted it had been a “dream come true” to come back to his boyhood club but added: “I’m not here just to make up the numbers”.

The experienced winger sealed an emotional deadline day move back to St Mary’s on Monday, joining up with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side on a season-long loan from Everton.

Walcott became the youngest first-team player ever to feature for the club when he made his debut in August 2005, at only 16 years and 143 days, before having such an impact that it prompted Arsenal to sign him in January 2006.

He would go on to play for 12 years at Emirates Stadium, making 397 appearances, scoring 108 goals and twice winning the FA Cup, before moving to Everton in January 2018.

The 31-year-old, who was part of the Saints team that reached the 2005 FA Youth Cup final, has also earned 47 caps for England since making his senior international debut at the age of 17, as he went on to become one of the finest graduates ever to emerge from the Saints academy.

Asked about what it would be like to put on a Saints shirt again after almost 15 years away, the winger told the club website: “Something feels right about it.

“Every time I look down, I see the badge, it just feels right. It does feel like home but I want to make this home work, and really push on and help this team.

“I’m not here just to make up the numbers. I’m here to play and to perform and work hard.

“My main trait is to work hard, as long as you work hard everything will come to you.

“I get a sense of enjoyment with this club as well. People I’ve spoke to on the outside about how the club has developed from where it was to now, with the manager and the experience they’ve got now.

“Obviously, Danny (Ings) who is with England now – and a few of the guys I know.

“I am looking forward to working with them and I am sure they are going to enjoy playing with me.

“It’s a dream come true, it really is.”

Since departing Saints as a teenager to join the Gunners, Walcott has played 347 times at England’s elite level.

He has found the net on 75 occasions in the Premier League, as well as registering 51 assists.

Quizzed on what kind of Walcott was returning to the club, the pacey forward replied: “I’ve got a lot more hair than I had back then! A bit of a beard.

“Like I say, with the amount of experience I have had in the Premier League and the person I’ve grown into, not just on the field but off the field as well, I’m always there to help out others.

“I’m always willing to learn still. I feel that’s a really important trait to have. It doesn’t matter how old you are.

“I feel very young anyway. I’m 31 but I probably look about 25 I suppose. My body feels like it.

“These days, these young players, you need to keep up with them. I tend to look after myself very well physically, because the Premier League is very demanding.

“I’ve played in the Premier League for so long now, I feel like I’m part of the sofa of that.

“But, like I say, I’ve still got a lot to offer I feel and hopefully it’s going to definitely be down the coast.”

Walcott made the journey back to the south on his own on deadline day - and admitted the drive to get the move completed allowed him some time to reminisce.

“Driving down here on my own, it just brought back memories,” he said.

“My old man used to drive me to Southampton from Newbury for the hour’s journey.

“I used to fall asleep. I didn’t fall asleep on the way here luckily driving myself! It was just really strange.

“I called my family just to let them know before anyone else. I was ready to leave from literally when Southampton said ‘we want you’ type thing. I was ready a few days ago.

“A lot had to happen and I am very grateful for Everton and Southampton in coming to an agreement with this. Hopefully I can repay all of that.”