Back to the Southampton Newsfeed

Southampton tapping into street football in inner-city London as academy scouts search for prodigies

Southampton's vaunted academy is watching teenage ‘street’ games in inner-city London as they bid to find the next big talent to roll off their production line.

Famed for bringing through Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw and countless others, Saints have set up camp in the capital for the past year.

It is there they are finding potential prodigies who are starring on the streets or in cages, working with locals who point towards players to join their hub at the popular Westway centre in Shepherd's Bush.

Jack Stephen celebrates his goal for Southampton U23s during their recent clash with Spursu00a0
Jack Stephen celebrates his goal for Southampton U23s during their recent clash with Spurs

‘There are a lot of kids not playing organised football,’ Southampton executive director Les Reed said.