Tino Livramento added his name to the list of youngest players to score for Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Aged 18 years and 345 days, he rose highest from a corner to head home a crucial equaliser for Saints in their 2-2 draw with Burnley and put himself fourth in the list of youngest top-flight scorers for the club.
He embodies the club’s plan at the moment – developing young talent and turning them into future stars, whether through their own academy or by signing players from other clubs.
Perhaps this Southampton spell in Livramento’s career will prove to be the most important when his road to the top is analysed in a few years’ time.
Southampton’s Livramento embodies the club’s plan
The plan at St Mary’s is always to bring young players into the first-team and give them games when they are ready. Here are the top five youngest Premier League scorers for Saints:
Southampton’s youngest scorers in PL
Michael Obafemi, 18 years 169 days
One of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s first wins as Southampton boss was rounded off by Obafemi as he turned home from a cutback and broke a long-standing record in the process.
Obafemi did not prove a long-term success with Saints due to form and competition for places. He is now attempting to break into first-team football in the Championship with Swansea.
Dexter Blackstock, 18 years 178 days
This goal will forever be remembered by Saints fans because it ultimately helped secure a 2-1 win over the club’s main rivals Portsmouth in the Premier League.
Blackstock scored nine goals in all for Saints and retired in 2017 having found the net 95 times across spells at a host of clubs in the Football League.
Sam Gallagher, 18 years 181 days
Was given a chance by former Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino and scored two goals in the 2013/14 season, including this one against Norwich.
Eventually sold to Blackburn in 2019 and is enjoying a good spell there whilst building himself a career in the English second-tier.
Tino Livramento, 18 years 345 days
Took another step in his very promising career by scoring at the weekend and looks set for stardom in the future.
Matt Oakley, 19 years 38 days
Found the net in a 3-1 loss to Wimbledon back in 1996 and proved a success for Southampton after making 310 appearances for the club in all.
Was still turning out for Exeter City in 2017 after a long career in the Football League.