Southampton have snapped up several youth teamers from Premier League rivals this summer.

Saints have handed two-year scholarships to fifteen players as part of its latest intake to the Under-18s squad.

A proportion of the players have come through the youth ranks at the club, but, significantly, have been joined by many young talents from other clubs who have opted to further their fledgling careers with Saints.

Academy chief Matt Hale confirmed: "We've bought some boys through the levels from the age of 8, who've been rewarded for their hard work with a scholarship, but we've also recruited a few players from outside of the club who we've monitored for some time.

"We are certainly excited by what we've seen in these young players, it's a good group with plenty of competition for places."

The first-year scholars:

Jack Bycroft

James Morris

Michael Saunders

Ryan Cluett

Ethan Burnett

Callum Watts

Lucas Defise

Roland Idowu (joins from St Joseph's Boys AFC)

David Osaretin Agbontohoma (joins from Arsenal)

Allan Tchaptchet (joins from French club, Sannois Saint-Gratien)

Pascal Kpohomouh (joins from Man City)

Benni Smales-Braithwaite (joins from Man City)

Seamas Keogh (joins from Irish club, Sligo Rovers)

Rio Glean (joins from Tottenham Hotspur)

Caleb Watts (joins from QPR)