SAINTS youngsters Thierry Small and Kegs Chauke have both secured League One loans for the upcoming 2022-23 season.

Defender Small, 17, will link up with newly promoted Port Vale after determining that first-team football was needed following his pre-season exploits.

The former Everton youngster featured for Ralph Hasenhuttl during the trip to Austria, but struggled in a left-wing-back role. Those close to him understand he has outgrown Premier League 2, though.

Port Vale’s director of football, Dave Flitcroft said: “We can only thank Danny Butterfield and Southampton for making this deal work, we delivered a presentation to them about our club, our playing style, the manager and the environment that we have created, and they were blown away by it.

“I think that they see us as a football home for Thierry and we have to make sure that he is looked after in all aspects of his game as well as a person, and help us form another good relationship with an outstanding football club.”

Meanwhile, central-midfielder Chauke, 19, will link up with fellow promoted side Exeter City. Saints typically retain January recall options on all of their loan outgoings.

Daily Echo: Saints midfielder Kegs Chauke (Pic: PA)Saints midfielder Kegs Chauke (Pic: PA) (Image: PA)

As exclusively revealed by the Daily Echo, Chauke had trialled with the Grecians for two weeks this month, in order to ensure it was the right next steps for him and his development.

He impressed during the spell and even scored minutes into his debut as a trialist. Both players are getting their first senior experiences.

“Over the last few weeks it’s been a chance for us to look at Kegs and Kegs to look at us, and provide some valuable feedback to Southampton about him,” Exeter boss Matt Taylor said.

“Within this time he showed us what he can do and we are really grateful to Southampton for the circumstances in which they’ve allowed the deal to go through.

“We want to develop his game and get him hardened and game ready in terms of seniority, and we’ve seen enough from his playing side and his character to believe he will have an impact this season.”

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News