Southampton is set to complete the signing of Damion Downs from FC Köln in a deal worth €8 million (£6.8m, $9.4m), Softfootball can report.
The 21-year-old forward, who recently featured for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) at the 2025 Gold Cup, is expected to become one of the first major signings under new Saints head coach Will Still as the club looks to rebuild following their relegation from the Premier League.
According to The Athletic, Downs is expected to undergo his medical at Southampton.
Born in Bavaria to an American father and German mother, Downs came through the youth ranks in Germany and represented the country at junior levels before switching his international allegiance to the United States earlier this year.
He earned his senior debut for the USMNT in May and was included in Mauricio Pochettino’s final squad for the Gold Cup. He played a key role off the bench during the tournament, notably scoring the decisive penalty in the quarter-final shootout win over Costa Rica, and was introduced as a second-half substitute in the final defeat to Mexico in Texas on Sunday.
Downs spent last season in the 2. Bundesliga, scoring 11 goals for Köln in all competitions. Though primarily a centre-forward, his mobility and pressing ability have made him a standout talent and earned him admirers across Europe.
Southampton, who finished bottom of the Premier League with just 12 points, are looking to revamp their squad following a difficult campaign. Downs is viewed as a long-term project that could be central to their promotion push in the 2025-26 Championship season, which begins in early August.
Will Still, appointed last month after leaving Reims, is leading a significant recruitment drive at St Mary’s, with the club targeting younger, athletic profiles to spearhead their return to the top flight.
Downs’ move brings an end to his time in Germany, where he developed through Köln’s academy and made his senior breakthrough. His physical attributes and international exposure are seen as ideal for the demands of the English second tier, and his arrival adds to the growing American influence in the Championship this summer.
As Southampton seeks to bring in a new player, Softfootball earlier reported how the Saints’ winger Tyler Dibling has been valued at £55 million by Chelsea. Chelsea are reportedly in talks with Southampton over a shock swoop for Tyler Dibling, whose last stint at Stamford Bridge lasted just weeks.
The 19-year-old joined Chelsea in 2022 but struggled to adapt to being away from home, which led to his departure after a few weeks. However, he is believed to be more ready for a move away now, especially with Southampton dropping down to the Championship.
