Southampton have snapped up midfielder Alexandre Jankewitz.
Southampton have wrapped up the signature of Servette midfielder Alexandre Jankewitz – and may well have beaten Tottenham Hotspur to his signature.
The Saints enjoyed a fine end to the transfer window by snapping up Liverpool striker Danny Ings, but they have also tied up a signature in the last few days.
Mark Hughes’ men have managed to win the race for Servette teenager Alexandre Jankewitz, confirming the move on their official website just days ago.
Jankewitz, 16, has emerged as one of the top young talents in Swiss football, and joins from the academy which produced Swiss internationals such as Philippe Senderos and Borussia Monchengladbach star Denis Zakaria.
With 13 caps for Switzerland at youth level, Jankewitz looks to be a major talent for the future, and Southampton can feel that they have landed something of a coup with his signature.
Just weeks ago, Tuttomercatoweb reported that Southampton were set to beat Tottenham Hotspur to Jankewitz’s signature, and one Saints coach has discussed the deal.
Academy boss Matt Hale told the club’s official website that Southampton managed to ‘fend off competition from other clubs’ to snap up the teenager, in a possible nod to pipping Spurs to his services last week.
“We’re really pleased with the signing of Alexandre,” said Hale. “It marks another step into the European youth market and shows the scope and breadth of what all of us at the club are trying to achieve with regards to the recruitment of young talent.”
“Alexandre is someone we’ve watched for a long time and we’ve had to fend off competition from other clubs to secure his signature. We think there is significant potential in Alexandre and with the staff and support structure we are developing here, we think we can really develop that potential. I’m excited to see what he brings to Saints,” he added.
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