Waterford FC has confirmed that Romeo Akachukwu has departed the club to join English Premier League club Southampton FC for a club-record undisclosed fee. The 18-year-old has spent the last few weeks on trial with the Saints but has now sealed a permanent deal.
He has now completed his switch having played 35 times at senior level for Waterford in the First and Premier Division. This is a massive opportunity for the 18-year-old and undoubtedly a step in the right direction in a very promising-looking future for the attacking midfielder.
Akachukwu impressed as he lined out for Ireland’s under-17 side under Colin O'Brien at the European Championship last year. The Boys in Green were defeated 3-0 by Spain in the quarterfinals in Budapest, but the Waterford player impressed with an incredible goal against Wales.
What a goal from Romeo Akachukwu to put more gloss on Ireland's performance against the Welsh
Ireland 3-0 Wales #IRLU17 #U17Euros #COYBIG
📺 https://t.co/Sfewj1LU8N
📱https://t.co/kT6PI6JaYn pic.twitter.com/hUYaazfVXV— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) May 20, 2023
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Akachukwu's move to Southampton
Akachukwu joined the Blues from Ferrybank AFC in 2019 before progressing through the academy ranks where he made huge strides in his development. Romeo was rewarded for his efforts with his first-team debut at home to Treaty United FC in the SSE Airtricity League First Division at the age of just 15. This appearance gave Romeo the youngest appearance maker for the Blues in 58 years.
"It's a place I feel like I can thrive." ✨
Highly-rated attacker Romeo Akachukwu has completed a move from @WaterfordFCie, initially joining #SaintsFCU21s:— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 5, 2024
Speaking after signing for the saints, Akachukwu was looking forward to the season ahead:
“I’m buzzing, the standard is obviously really good and it’s a place I feel like I can thrive so I’m just looking forward to the season to get going.
I’d say I want to progress into the First Team, I want to try and score goals, try to help the team as much as I can week in week out and just give it my all and see where it takes me.
He made a big impact with Waterford throughout the 2023 season making 23 appearances, helping them gain promotion and a return to the top flight of Irish football.
Akachukwu wrote his name into the club's history books in October 2023 as he came off the bench to net an incredible hat-trick to help the Blues defeat Athlone Town AFC 3-1 in their First Division Play-Off Semi-Final second-leg.
Waterford have sold Akachukwu for a club record fee, a direct example of how the club are reaping the rewards of a strong academy at the RSC. The attacker will initially join Southampton’s Under-21 side with a view to joining Russel Martin's first team set-up during the season.
New Irish manager Heimir Hallgrímsson will no doubt be keeping a close eye on how the youngster progresses over the coming months.
