'I've been sleeping on the floor at my parents' house'

Flynn Downes is unveiled as a new Southampton playerImage source, Getty Images
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New Southampton signing Flynn Downes revealed that life has been "carnage" as he waited to complete his move from West Ham to St Mary's.

The 25-year-old returned to the Hammers this summer for pre-season after enjoying a promotion campaign on loan at the Saints.

Southampton then confirmed the move for Downes on a four-year contract in a surprise announcement at their kit launch on Tuesday.

"It’s been carnage for the past few days to be honest - a lot of ups and downs,” Downes told BBC South Today, external.

"I’ve been sleeping on the floor at my parents' house. It'll be nice to get some normality back.

"You should see my wardrobe at the moment - it is so bad. Just a pile of clothes on the floor. It's not been ideal but it is just part of it."

The boyhood Irons fan joined West Ham from Swansea City in the summer of 2022 and played 35 times in claret and blue before joining Southampton.

"It was just about making sure I could play week in, week out," Downes added.

"I felt like at West Ham I wasn't going to get that so here was the right fit for me.

"All I had dreamed of was to play for West Ham - but things change. I had to be selfish about what's best for my career and I needed to make this step."

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