Romeo Akachukwu makes club record transfer move to Southampton
Romeo Akachukwu was unveiled as a new Southampton player after joining from Waterford FC in a club record undisclosed fee. Photo: Southampton FC.
The leading prized asset of the Waterford FC Academy in recent times, Romeo Akachukwu, has finally made a club record transfer move to Premier League new boys Southampton for an undisclosed fee believed to be in excess of €500,000.
Akachukwu, who joined the Blues Academy from local club Ferrybank back in 2019, made the move across the water in recent weeks after completing his leaving certificate before signing on the dotted line after celebrating his 18th birthday late last month.
The midfielder came to the fore with the Waterford FC academy and also for the Republic of Ireland Underage teams in recent years where he finally made his Blues debut in a 4-0 home win against Treaty United in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division back in May 2022 at the age of 15.
He had made his international debut for Ireland in the previous March of the same year before netting his first senior goal for the cup in a 5-0 win over St. Michaels in the Men’s FAI Cup in 2023 before netting a crucial hat-trick in last season’s promotion semi-final against Athlone Town at the RSC.
Waterford’s previous connections with Southampton goes back to the 1970s and 80s with players such as Duncan Burns, Timmy Dixon, Barry Blankley and Bill Beaney coming on loan to the club with the Blues also playing friendlies against them in the 1980s and 90s including one at the RSC.
Commenting on his move to Southampton, Akachukwu said: “It’s obviously great to be finally here and I’m thankful to God that it’s all over and done with. I think initially that it just felt right in my gut to pick here. I think that when I came over last summer, the boys were great and they were really helpful.
“They were very friendly and it just felt right that Southampton was the right move for me. I think that certainly the first-team experience helps when it comes to the physical side of the game especially when you’re coming up against men. Experienced men.
“They are good with all the darks cards and all that stuff so it really shapes you quickly and I think that was very helpful in my development as a player. I think that it shows that there is a pathway if you get your head down as work hard that you can play here in England.
“When I saw that Southampton opportunities, it was one of the things that contributed to me ultimately deciding to come here. It’s very good. You see the other young players that are in the first-team and it shows that there definitely is a pathway. Like I said if I work hard, keep my head down, I’ll get my opportunity.
“Hopefully I can kick on now that I’m here. I’m buzzing now. I’ve been here a couple of weeks now and I’m getting to know the lads. I’m settling in really well and the boys have been really good to me and I’m just really enjoying it so far. I’m looking forward to the season kicking off in a couple of weeks.
“The standard of Premier League Two is really good and it’s a place where I think that I can thrive so I’m just looking forward to the season and getting going. I want to progress into the first-team. I want to try score goals and help the team as much as I can week in, week out. I’ll give my all and see where it takes me.” Commenting on the move to Southampton, Waterford FC said: “Everyone at Waterford FC would like to congratulate Romeo on his move, and thank him for his efforts whilst a Blue.
“We wish Romeo the very best of luck in his future career – a career that everyone in Waterford will be watching closely – and we look forward to welcoming Romeo back to the RSC as a supporter in the years to come. Once a Blue, Always a Blue.”
