Southampton sign USA forward Downs for £7m

Damion Downs scored 11 goals last season for FC Koln as they won 2. Bundesliga

Southampton have signed US striker Damion Downs from German club FC Koln in a deal worth £7m.

The 21-year-old, 6ft 4ins forward was born in Germany but represents the United States internationally and has five senior caps so far.

He joined Koln's youth teams and after coming through the ranks made 42 appearances for the first team, scoring 13 goals and providing six assists.

Last season Koln were promoted from the second tier of German football to the Bundesliga.

In that campaign Downs played 32 times in all competitions, scoring 11 goals.

"Everybody plays football to win titles," Downs told the Saints website after agreeing a four-year contract.

"To win my first title at 20 last year was a great feeling, and I hope to repeat it again this year.

"I think Southampton is a big club that should be in the Premier League, and that's my goal – to help the team as much as I can to bring the club back to the Premier League."