Former defender Sam McQueen joins Saints Foundation as their newest official ambassador to push the message of the charity's work to people across Southampton and beyond.

27-year-old McQueen's new role marks the next chapter in his relationship with the club which signed him when he was just eight years old. Sam made the difficult decision to retire from playing in January 2022 after spending more than three years attempting a comeback from a serious knee injury he suffered in October 2018.

Now, McQueen hopes to channel what he experienced during this difficult period into relating to Saints Foundation participants as they face their own challenges.

“I'm excited to be asked to be an ambassador for Saints Foundation," McQueen told the club's website. “Hopefully the journey I've been on in the past few years, through the academy and being part of the club, I can share some of my experiences of what I've been through, and it will help and add some value to the Foundation.

“I'm looking forward to getting out there and meeting the people involved with the activities and the sessions that are going on. I'd like to connect with people and try and help them – just doing all that we can to help the community of Southampton. I'm looking to give back."