West Ham have sold Flynn Downes to Southampton, with the midfielder penning an emotional goodbye to the club he has supported all his life.

Downes, who spent last season on loan at the Saints to help gain them promotion to the Premier League this season, has signed on a permenent deal worth £18m, with the player highlighting the key reason being game time.

“I grew up as a boy dreaming of one day wearing that Claret and Blue shirt. I feel so privileged to have played for this fantastic football club, to have won a trophy and to be a part of that European journey is truly an honour,” stated Downes.

“I want to thank the fans for always sticking by me and making me feel so welcome as one of their own from day one. Thank you to the staff and my team mates for inspiring me to get better every day, I made so many friends that will last a life time.

“Any footballer wants to play week in, week out and it is obvious I found regular minutes difficult to come by. That is football at the end of the day, I don’t harbour any bitterness, it was simply time for me to move on to another great club in Southampton, to continue my footballing journey.

“Hammers, you are in good hands and I wish you nothing but success this season. What a club! And what a special group of people as well!

“Who knows whether our paths with cross again one day but for now, thank you for everything.”

The sale is now set to have a domino effect on other transfers, with West Ham now set to ramp up our pursuit of other targets this summer, however the club in the meantime also wished Downes well in his future career.

“Brentwood-born Downes joined the Hammers in summer 2022 and played 35 games in Claret and Blue, including eleven in our run to the UEFA Europa Conference League title,” it stated on the clubs Official Website.

“West Ham United would like to thank Flynn for his hard work and commitment during his time in east London and wish him well for his future career.”