Southampton confirm signing of Sekou Mara from Bordeaux

After reaching an agreement in principle last week, Southampton confirmed on Monday the signing of Sékou Mara from Girondins de Bordeaux on a four-year deal, subject to international clearance.

Mara is a product of the Paris Saint-Germain, Boulogne-Billancourt and Bordeaux youth academies, the latter where he joined in 2017 before going on to make 34 Ligue 1 appearances for the club.

The 19-year-old netted seven goals for the first-team across two seasons, however, a majority of his appearances came during the 2021-22 campaign.

“I’m really happy to sign for Southampton and to be a Saint for the next years. Southampton have given me a good opportunity to progress,” said Mara to the Official Southampton FC Website. “I’m a young player and I have to work. I think Southampton is the best club for me to develop myself and progress to be one of the best.”

Mara made his professional debut for Bordeaux in a 2–0 Coupe de France loss to Toulouse on February 10, 2021. He scored his first professional goal in a 1–0 Ligue 1 win over Rennes on May 2, 2021.

“Sékou is coming here to score goals and has shown in the French league he can do this, now he needs to work hard and show he can do this in the Premier League,” said Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.

The France Under-21 international becomes Saints’ sixth summer signing following the arrivals of goalkeepers Gavin Bazunu and Mateusz Lis, defender Armel Bella-Kotchap, and midfielders Roméo Lavia and Joe Aribo.