Southampton have completed the signing of West Brom attacker Tom Fellows in a £10 million deal.
The 22-year-old academy graduate has signed a 4-year deal at St Mary’s after joining The Baggies in their under-10s before breaking all the way to the first team.
A Breakthrough
Born in Solihull, Tom Fellows grew up near West Bromwich Albion’s Hawthorns, joining their academy at under-10 level. His early connection to the club laid the foundation for a rapid rise through their youth system. His childhood in Solihull saw him develop his football ability from a young age before catching the eye of West Brom’s scouts. He made his professional debut at 18 against Arsenal in the EFL Cup in August 2021, a key early milestone for the winger.
In the 2022/23 season, Fellows gained valuable first-team experience on loan at Crawley Town in League Two where he appeared in 38 matches for The Red Devils. This stint sharpened his attacking instincts and prepared him for the Championship’s demands.
Back at West Brom, Fellows began his breakthrough to the first team in the 2023/24 season, in which he scored five goals and assisted four in 38 games in all competitions. Last season was the real breakthrough when he delivered a league-high 14 assists and four goals, earning the club’s Young Player of the Year award twice in a row.
During his two years of gaining first-team experience, he made just shy of 100 appearances with 96 for the club.
His consistent performances drew interest from Premier League clubs, including Everton, who submitted numerous offers for the young prospect. Fellows, however, stayed focused on his role at West Brom until his transfer.
Fellows debuted for England’s under-21 side in March 2024 and helped them retain the European Championship in Slovakia this summer. His attacking output is strong, though he continues to refine his defensive work.
A New Attack
The Saints have enhanced their attack this summer with other attacking signings such as Damion Downs from FC Köln, Joshua Quarshie from Hoffenheim and Finn Azaz from Championship rivals Middlesborough. They join the returning Adam Armstrong, the Championship’s Golden Boot winner from a few seasons ago, to drive the Saints to a straight return to the Premier League.
“It Was Clear They Wanted Me”
Fellows said:
It’s really exciting. It’s obviously a massive club, and the ambition was clear to me: they want to get in the Premier League, and that’s a clear goal.
“I’m looking forward to a new challenge for me at a new club, so I’ve got to test myself again and I’m looking forward to it.”
Writers View
Southampton’s signing of Tom Fellows, one of the EFL’s highest-rated youngsters, underlines their ambition for Premier League promotion. Beating competition from clubs like Everton, the Saints secured the West Brom winger, a key player to watch this season. At St. Mary’s, Fellows is expected to make a significant impact in their promotion push.
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