Maddox joins Under-23s on loan

The 21-year-old moves to Saints from Chelsea, having previously enjoyed loan spells at Cheltenham Town and Tranmere Rovers.

An attacking midfield player best suited to the ‘number ten’ role, Maddox joins with a wealth of experience as part of the Blues academy, with FA Youth Cup and the UEFA Youth League medals among his collection.

He has also represented England at every level between Under-16s and Under-20s, notably winning the Under-19s European Championship with his country in 2017.

The deal is until the end of the 2019/20 season, but includes an option to buy.

Maddox said: “It feels great. It’s a massive club, great facilities here, great youth set-up. I feel like it’s a club that comes with opportunities too, so I feel like if I can get my head down, work hard, something can come from it.

“You look at the first-team and you’ve got Yan Valery in the team, James Ward-Prowse. So there’s definitely a pathway there for players that are capable and want to put the work in.

“I want to show a good impression to the academy staff and the first-team staff if I get the opportunity. Like I said, with the pathway here, the proof is in the pudding. There are players here who have come through the academy, so it’s definitely a club with opportunity.”

There's definitely a pathway there for players that are capable and want to put the work in.

Jacob Maddox
southampton under-23s

Academy Director Matt Hale said: “Jacob is someone we know very well, having come up against him many times for Chelsea at under-18 and under-23 level recently. He always gave us problems and was influential in those games, catching the eye with his creativity and guile.

“Having already played league football, represented England at most youth levels and won major youth competitions with Chelsea, we are delighted to sign a young player with so much experience.

“We believe Jacob has lots of potential and look forward to continuing his development at Southampton.”