The Southampton academy graduate left the Saints on loan to join the MLS club in August and is open to a return now their season’s over.
Southampton winger Josh Sims has admitted that he would “happily come back” to New York Red Bulls after his fruitful loan spell at the MLS side, according to Pro Soccer USA.
The 22-year-old left the Saints on 7 August to join the American club on loan until the end of the 2019 season, being added to their roster as a Young Designated Player (NYRB website).
Sims made eight appearances in total for the Red Bulls (Transfermarkt) and opened the scoring in their 2019 MLS Cup Playoff first-round clash against Philadephia Union at the Talen Energy Stadium.
The goal, deemed “too good” by the Red Bulls’ Twitter channel, was his first for the club, but it marked a bittersweet day as he had to leave the field due to concussion after 29 minutes, while his team was eliminated 4-3 after extra time, but the club’s sporting director, Denis Hamlett, said the winger is “someone we think definitely has big potential for us.”
“I’ve said I’ve enjoyed my time here, so I’d be lying if I say I don’t want to come back because this is probably the most experience I’ve gained so far in my career,” Sims told Pro Soccer USA at the club’s season-ending media availability last week. “So I would happily come back. I’ve enjoyed it. Everyone’s been good to me. And I’ve learned a lot.”
With regards to a potential return stateside, he added: “It’s up to the clubs now to sort out the money side of it. It’s definitely out of my hands. So there’s a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes. I’m sure the clubs will come to some sort of discussions and we’ll (hear) from them.”
Sims joined Southampton’s academy from that of rivals Portsmouth in 2012 and has made 27 appearances for the Saints, to whom he is contracted until the summer of 2021 (Transfermarkt).
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