Saints sign Abbott on loan as Sugawara joins Cagliari

Southampton have completed the loan signing of defender Zach Abbott from Nottingham Forest.

The 20-year-old centre-back is a product of the Forest academy and has been at the club since the age of 11.

Abbott has made 12 first-team appearances for the Reds and embarks on the first loan spell of his career.

"As soon as I heard Southampton were coming in I wanted to be here," he told the club.

"Since I've been young this club has been a massive club. I've watched it for so many years in the Premier League, and I think that's where it deserves to be.

"I want to be a winner, I want to win games as much as I can, and my promise is that I'll try my best in everything I can do and work hard every single day so that I can be a benefit to the club and myself."

Meanwhile, Southampton defender Yukinari Sugawara has joined Serie A side Cagliari on loan for the season.

The 26-year-old full-back signed for Saints in the summer of 2024 and went on to make 35 appearances, scoring one goal.

He spent last season on loan at Werder Bremen, where he played 31 times, registering six assists.

Earlier on transfer deadline day, Southampton confirmed that forward Cameron Archer had also left the club to join Auxerre on loan for the season.