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Southampton: Youngster Olufela Olomola joins Scunthorpe United

By Chris Hughes

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Olufela Olomola of Southampton (L) and Jermain Defoe of Sunderland (R) battle for possession during the EFL Cup fourth round match between Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium on October 26, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Olufela Olomola of Southampton (L) and Jermain Defoe of Sunderland (R) battle for possession during the EFL Cup fourth round match between Southampton and Sunderland at St Mary's Stadium on October 26, 2016 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Today Southampton have confirmed that young striker Olufela Olomola has joined League One’s Scunthorpe on a free transfer.

Once considered a serious talent for the future, it wasn’t to be for Olomola at the Saints, with the club opting against offering him a new contract.

The 20-year-old impressed on a loan spell with Yeovil Town in League Two, scoring seven goals in 21 league appearances as the Glovers eventually went on to narrowly avoid relegation from the Football League – although the striker had returned to his parent club months before.

Despite a respectable goal tally, Olomola scored four of his seven goals in his first five matches with the side and thus he went on to fire blanks in the last 11 games of his loan spell.

As a result the club have not stood in his way as he moves on, with Scunthorpe tying the forward down on a three-year contract.

Next: Southampton 2017/18 review: Romeu

YEOVIL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 28: Olufela Olomola of Yeovil Town celebrates his sides second goal during the Sky Bet League Two match between Yeovil Town and Stevenage Borough at Huish Park on October 28, 2017 in Yeovil, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
YEOVIL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 28: Olufela Olomola of Yeovil Town celebrates his sides second goal during the Sky Bet League Two match between Yeovil Town and Stevenage Borough at Huish Park on October 28, 2017 in Yeovil, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images) /

This will mean that the attacker will make the step up to the third tier of English football, playing for a side who have been impressive this campaign. Scunthorpe reached the League One playoffs after finishing fifth in the league, however fell at the first hurdle to Rotherham.

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Olomola made just the one appearance for Southampton, coming off the bench in a Cup game in the 2016/17 season – he replaced an injured Jay Rodriguez that evening.

Whilst not strictly a first-team player for the Saints, the 20-year-old could be the first of several Southampton forwards headed for the exit door this summer.

Both Manolo Gabbiadini and Guido Carrillo are being strongly linked with moves away with this off-season, with the latter having totally failed following his record move from Monaco in January.

Gabbiadini meanwhile has struggled all campaign, and despite his season-saving goal against Swansea but he has not been good enough all year.

We at Saints Marching are sure we aren’t alone in wishing Olufela Olomola all the best for the season ahead with Scunthorpe!

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