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<p>Announcement</p>
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<p><img alt="Damion Downs joins Southampton - Köln receives top fee for USMNT player" src="https://tmssl.akamaized.net//images/foto/galerie/damion-downs-to-southampton-1751911481-171865.jpg" title="Damion Downs joins Southampton - Köln receives top fee for USMNT player"></img></p>
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<p>Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln has sold US men’s national team striker Damion Downs to Southampton. Multiple media reports indicate that the Championship side will pay €8 million for the 20-year-old forward. This fee positions Downs among the ten most expensive outgoing transfers in Köln’s history. Although Downs’ contract with Köln was set to expire in 2026, discussions about a new four-year deal did not progress, leading to this lucrative offer from Southampton. In a statement, Downs expressed, "Every footballer aims to win titles. Winning my first title at 20 last year was an incredible experience, and I aim to achieve that again this year. I believe Southampton is a significant club that deserves to be in the Premier League, and I’m committed to helping the team return to that level."</p>
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<p>Downs played a pivotal role for Köln last season, netting 11 goals and providing six assists in 32 appearances across all competitions. His impressive performances saw his market value soar from €2.5 million to €6 million. After previously representing the U20 German national team, where he scored two goals in six matches, Downs switched his allegiance to the United States—his father’s country of origin—last spring. This switch allowed him to compete for the USMNT in the Gold Cup, where he came off the bench in three matches but did not score.</p>
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<h2>What to Expect from Damion Downs at Southampton</h2>
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<p>Southampton can anticipate a lot from Damion Downs. Standing tall and possessing a strong physical presence, Downs averaged a goal every 180 minutes in the 2. Bundesliga last season. His size and strength are among his most notable attributes. He excels as a target man, effectively creating space for teammates rather than solely focusing on scoring. This profile makes him particularly suitable for the Championship, where physical strikers often succeed. Recent seasons have shown that Southampton has a knack for identifying players with significant potential, and at €8 million, Downs represents a worthwhile investment.</p>
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<p>The towering striker revealed he had a conversation with national team head coach and former Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino about the possibility of joining the club before finalizing his four-year deal at St. Mary’s. “I was aware of Pochettino’s connection to the Saints, and we had a brief discussion. He shared insights about how wonderful the city is, how great the club is, and how passionate the fans are. The club’s history is impressive—Southampton has produced many outstanding players in the past. I believe this is the right move for me at this stage of my career.” On his playing style, Downs added: “I consider myself a strong finisher, I make good runs behind the defense, and I can be a significant threat to opposing defenses. Additionally, I have demonstrated my ability to assist in goal-scoring. I’m eager to play in the stadium and in front of the fans. I’m truly excited!”</p>
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