Southampton re-sign former captain Ward-Prowse

Southampton have re-signed former captain James Ward-Prowse from Championship rivals West Ham United.

The 31-year-old former England midfielder has penned a two-year contract at St Mary's in a deal understood to be worth just under £1m.

Ward-Prowse left Saints in 2023 to join the Hammers, where he went on to make 75 appearances.

During that time he also had loan spells at Nottingham Forest and most recently Burnley, where he played 14 times last season.

He started his career at Southampton aged eight and came through the academy before making 410 first-team appearances.

"It feels a bit surreal," Ward-Prowse said.

"The last couple of days have been pretty intense, but I'm delighted to be back, and to be wearing the red and white again is truly special.

"It's the place I call home, obviously having come through the academy since I was eight.

"It was an incredible journey up until the point that I left, but home is a special place and I always had it in the back of my mind that it was somewhere that I wanted to be.

"I'm here today very excited and looking forward to the challenge ahead."

At Saints, Ward-Prowse scored 55 goals and registered 52 assists with 17 of his goals coming as Premier League free-kicks, one behind David Beckham's top-flight record of 18.

Ward-Prowse has won 11 caps for England, scoring two goals.