Southampton: Saints youth prospect leaves the club on permanent deal

Southampton youth prospect Kornelius Hansen has left the club to join Norwegian side Stabaek on a two-year deal.

A statement on the Oslo-based side’s official website confirmed the news and that they expected him to be able to develop his game further after returning to his homeland.

At 19, there is still some potential in Hansen for Stabaek to work with and they will certainly hope that he blossoms whilst with them.

The Norway youth international failed to make a first-team appearance for Saints whilst in England but was still playing above his age in the Staplewood youth setup.

In all, he made 29 appearances for Saints’ Under-18s and then progressed to play a further 13 times for their Under-23s.

It appears that he has good variety in his game since he has played right across the frontline during the 2019/20 season.

According to transfermarkt.com, he has played on the left and right wings for Saints’ Under-23s this year and has also appeared centrally as a centre-forward, second striker and an attacking-midfielder.

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His scoring record was not quite what he would have wanted on the South Coast, but he has managed to contribute hugely for Norway’s youth sides in the past four years.

Across 43 games for his nation’s Under-15s, Under-16s, Under-17s and Under-18s, he has managed to find the net no less than 22 times.

After failing to make the grade with Saints, he will be hungry for more international recognition whilst also building a senior career with Stabaek.

Stabaek finished 8th in the 2019 Norwegian Eliteserien and will be wanting to push on again this campaign.

The top-flight season in Norway was due to begin in early April but the effects of Covid-19 saw the initial fixtures postponed, but Hansen will get a chance to impress soon with the campaign due to resume on 16th June.

Seeing Hansen move on will be disappointing for Saints because of the amount that the club invests in its youth setup.

More young players may have to move on at the end of the 2019/20 season, but it is good to know that Saints are taking time to help players find their next clubs with the current situation so unclear (via Daily Mail).