(Image: Richard Crease)
(Image: Richard Crease)
SAINTS will be looking to repeat their heroics of three seasons ago and achieve what was taken away from them back in May by securing promotion to the Premier League this campaign.
But where are the players that made up the last promotion squad now?
Goalkeepers
Gavin Bazunu - Bolton Wanderers
The Republic of Ireland international played the majority of the campaign but suffered an Achilles injury that meant he had to hand over his gloves for the final stretch.
Joined Bolton this summer after four years at the club.
(Image: Stuart Martin)
Alex McCarthy - Leicester City
Signed by Russell Martin at Leicester this summer after his contract on the south coast expired. Played significant roles in keeping Saints in the Premier League in 2018 and getting them over the line to return in 2024.
Joe Lumley - Sheffield Wednesday
Played in four FA Cup matches that season before remarkably getting three opportunities in the Premier League the following campaign.
Now first choice at League One Wednesday.
Centre-backs
Taylor Harwood-Bellis - Aston Villa
Initially joined on loan from Manchester City and was crucial. Promotion triggered a £20million purchase and the defender will go down as a recent favourite having left for Villa in the summer.
(Image: PA)
Jan Bednarek - FC Porto
Arguably the best of the Poland international's eight seasons on the south coast. Another key player who is now impressing for Portuguese giants Porto.
Mason Holgate - Al Gharafa
One of the signings that didn't work out. Saw his loan from Everton terminated in the January and joined Sheffield United instead. Now playing his trade out in Qatar.
Jack Stephens - Southampton
The defender was absolutely pivotal during the play-offs having played in half of the regular league games that season. He remains captain at Saints.
(Image: Richard Crease)
Ryan Manning - Southampton
Signed from Swansea City that summer to reunite with Martin and had his best season in a Saints shirt last term. Still a key player at St Mary's.
Jayden Meghoma - Portsmouth
Made a handful of cup appearances and league squads that season before signing for Brentford in summer 2024. Now on loan at arch-rivals Portsmouth and could feature in next weekend's derby.
Kyle Walker-Peters - West Ham United
Absolutely pivotal for Saints that season and was a popular figure during his five-and-a-half year spell. He will now look to get another promotion on his CV at West Ham.
(Image: Stuart Martin)
James Bree - Southampton
Didn't quite get consistent game time in the Championship that year and has done remarkably in the past 12 months to revive his career at Saints and become a regular starter.
Midfielders
Shea Charles - Fulham
Got more minutes in the first half of the season, having joined from Manchester City for around £15million. Spent the subsequent Premier League season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday before returning and becoming a vital player last term.
Saints ended up making a nice profit this summer, selling to Fulham where he has started brightly.
Flynn Downes - Southampton
Was so influential he had his loan turned permanent and is now one of the first names on the team sheet at Saints. He has taken the captain's armband in most matches this season as he steps up to another level.
(Image: Stuart Martin)
Carlos Alcaraz - Everton
The then-unknown Argentinian had been excellent in the second half of Saints' relegation campaign but didn't quite make the same impact in the Championship before joining Juventus on loan in January 2024.
He's now back in the Premier League with Everton, having also returned to South America to play for Brazilian giant Flamengo.
Joe Aribo - free agent
The final player released by Saints this summer still looking for a club. Aribo was a decent operator and will be fondly remembered for that last minute winner at Birmingham City. Also started the play-off final.
Will Smallbone - Leicester City
Also released by Saints this summer, Smallbone reunited with Martin at Leicester City this week. He scored a vital goal in the play-off semi-final against West Brom and assisted Adam Armstrong's winner against Leeds United in the final.
Southampton take the lead against West Brom! 🔥
Will Smallbone with the all-important goal against the Baggies 👀 #SOUWBA
pic.twitter.com/uWz6dRlMeC
— Daily Mail Sport (@MailSport) May 17, 2024
Joe Rothwell - Sheffield United
A decent pick up on loan in the January from neighbours Bournemouth. He scored a screamer against Huddersfield Town in a mental 5-3 win.
Stuart Armstrong - Aberdeen
A fan favourite after six years of service. Unfortunately was injured for the play-off final but was vital. Now back home in Scotland having also had a stint in MLS with Vancouver Whitecaps.
(Image: Richard Crease)
Kamaldeen Sulemana - Atalanta
Unfortunately will go down as another failed expensive purchase for Saints. Should have performed better in the Championship all things considered. Now playing in Serie A with Atalanta.
Forwards
Sam Edozie - Southampton
Had his best campaign in a Saints shirt that year, scoring six goals and registering three assists. Still in the first team picture but still struggling to establish himself as a regular in his fifth season at the club.
Ryan Fraser - Macarthur
Although not a popular addition at the time, the wide man became an important part of that Martin side.
Now playing in Australia, joining Macarthur after being too good for a dreadful Western Sydney Wanderers side.
David Brooks - Bournemouth
An inspired loan signing, also from the Cherries. Unfortunate to get injured in the play-off final but, with hindsight, his addition certainly played its part in getting Saints over the line.
(Image: PA)
Sam Amo-Ameyaw - Strasbourg
Looked like he would make his breakthrough after featuring in three of the first four league games but that didn't prevail. Now impressing in France after he struggled for first team chances at Saints.
Definitely a possible 'one that got away'.
Tyler Dibling - Everton
Although a huge fan, Martin wasn't quite ready to give young Dibling consistent game time in the Championship, instead unleashing him in the Premier League wild where he was one of very few plus points.
His big money move to Everton hasn't worked out yet.
Strikers
Adam Armstrong - Wolves
Just couldn't make it happen in the Premier League but in the Championship he's an absolute goal machine.
Possibly could have ended on more positive terms but will be fondly remembered for all those goals, especially in the final against Leeds.
𝙊𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙞𝙣 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣! 🗓️
Two years ago today, Adam Armstrong scored the only goal of the game as Southampton beat Leeds United 1-0 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley! 🎯
𝙄𝘾𝙀-𝘾𝙊𝙊𝙇. 😎#SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/DrYs3V52le
— Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24) May 26, 2026
Che Adams - Torino
Saints really could have done with another year out of Adams but his move to Italy has seemingly worked out. Another popular figure at St Mary's who was clearly too good for second tier football.
Sekou Mara - Strasbourg
His goal tally was limited but memorable. Now back in his native France playing alongside Amo-Ameyaw.
Ross Stewart - Swansea City
Saints spent big money on Stewart in 2023 but didn't get to truly benefit from his capabilities until his third year. Got himself fit for the play-offs in 2024 but wasn't needed.
A shame to see him leave on a free this summer but he's seemingly not been able to get away from injury issues at Swansea just yet.