Transfer deadline day signings for the south's football clubs
Southampton Football Club has signed two new strikers on transfer deadline day
Ghana international Kamaldeen Sulemana joins from French side Rennes for a club record £22m pound fee.
Capped 15 times for his country, including two appearances at the 2022 World Cup, Sulemana is already experienced at both club and international level and is comfortable either in a wide or central position.
Having played youth football in his home country, he moved to Denmark to join FC Nordsjælland in 2020, making an immediate impact as he scored 14 times in 42 appearances. That led to Rennes signing him in 2021, with Sulemana continuing to enhance his reputation there.
He departs having made 47 appearances and contributing six goals for the Ligue 1 side, where he has predominantly played out wide.
Southampton manager Nathan Jones said: “This is another really positive addition for us this month. We’ve obviously been keen to add a little more potency to the side, and Kamaldeen is someone who does that for us.
“He’s at a stage in his career where we feel he can help us in the immediate term, but also continue to grow and develop further into the future.”
The club has also signed striker Paul Onuachu from Belgian club KRC Genk, subject to a work permit and international clearance.
The 28-year-old joins from the Jupiler Pro League leaders on a contract until 2026, becoming the fifth signing of the month for Nathan Jones’s squad, after the transfers of Mislav Oršić, Charly Alcaraz and James Bree, and Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Nigeria international Onuachu has been in magnificent form for Genk this season, with the 6ft 7in forward netting 17 goals in 22 appearances, making him the top scorer in the Belgian top-flight.
In total, he departs with 85 goals in 134 games for the club, which he joined in 2019 from Danish side FC Midtjylland, where he scored 71 times in 181 appearances. Onuachu has also been capped 13 times for his country, scoring on three occasions.
Southampton manager Nathan Jones said: “Paul is a significant signing for us and completes what has been an extremely positive month in terms of recruitment.
“He’s a handful to play against, has got a tremendous record throughout his career and he’s also someone who brings great experience with him, so he’ll be a really positive addition to the squad.”
AFC Bournemouth have completed the signing of highly-rated Ukraine international Illia Zabarnyi from Dynamo Kyiv.
The 20-year-old central defender becomes the club’s fifth January transfer window addition following the arrivals of Dango Ouattara, Darren Randolph, Antoine Semenyo and Matías Viña.
Zabarnyi, who has been capped 24 times by his country, has penned a five-and-a-half-year deal at Vitality Stadium.
AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told the club website: “We are absolutely delighted to bring Illia to the club and he arrives with a burgeoning CV.
“Despite only being 20, he has played at the highest level for club and country and has established himself as one of the most sought-after young defenders in the world.
“We are very much looking forward to seeing him continue his development with us and know he will be a valued and important member of our squad.”
AFC Bournemouth made a sixth signing before the window closed - midfielder Hamed Traorè.
Traorè has joined from Serie A outfit Sassuolo on an initial loan agreement which will become permanent in the summer for a further five years.
His arrival follows hot on the heels of Ukraine international Illia Zabarnyi, who became the club’s first deadline-day addition when he completed his move from Dynamo Kyiv.
A busy period has also seen the Cherries bolster their squad with the signings of Dango Ouattara, Darren Randolph, Antoine Semenyo and Matías Viña.
Traorè, 22, has been capped four times by Ivory Coast and joined Sassuolo in 2021.
AFC Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake told the club website: “Hamed is another exciting prospect and we are delighted to have secured his services.
“He is young, ambitious and one of the hottest talents from Serie A. He fits the profile of the type of player we are looking to recruit and will significantly add to our creative resources.
“After Bill Foley had completed his takeover of the club last month, he said he would be investing in the squad and has certainly done so.
“Hamed’s arrival takes to six the number of new signings we have made this month and the squad is looking strong for the second half of the season.”
Portsmouth have completed the signing of forward Paddy Lane from Fleetwood for an undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old Northern Ireland international has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half year deal at Fratton Park.
Blues boss John Mousinho said: “We’re delighted to bring Paddy to the club. He’s a fantastic young player who can not only impact the squad now, but also has huge potential.
“As soon as he came on our radar, we were extremely excited about the prospect of working with him here.
“One of the most important things for us was that he was really keen on coming to Pompey and we got some excellent references.