Southampton recently signed 15-year-old rising Irish name Luke Hawe. A Northern Ireland prodigy, seems heard, right? Yes, Hawe can take inspiration from the Saints' compatriot Shea Charles.
Let's be honest, Southampton fans have experienced a downward rollercoaster of emotions in the current campaign. Hardly ten Premier League matchdays are left to be played, yet the Saints fanbase must have shifted a significant portion of their excitement towards the next season.
Sticking to this theme, the first thought that comes to mind is the returning loanees. Every Premier League outfit welcomes a few familiar faces during the preseason but Southampton are set to recall nearly a lineup of them.
Unsurprisingly, Shea Charles will be the first name on this team-sheet thanks to his star-making campaign at Sheffield Wednesday. Reflecting on his initial January return, it's safe to admit that Shea Charles has managed to form a commendable reputation among the decision-makers on the club's board.
Hawe must learn from compatriot Shea Charles
Taking valuable insights from Charles' rapid adaptation, the Saints have doubled down on their transfer strategy. That's because the club have acquired the services of the former's 15-year-old compatriot Luke Hawe.
Agreed, Hawe is only a teenager and it could take a good while for the Southampton faithful to see him in the senior team colours. Yet, this might be worth the wait if Charles becomes an integral part of Southampton's midfield come the end of the year.
The reason being that young wonderkids often look for inspiration among their compatriots at their new club.
Thus, Hawe would also want to gain valuable experience from Charles to fastrack his career development. If the former jets off to a good start in the youth setup, who knows he may even get starting opportunities alongside Shea Charles in the future.
In this way, it could be a win-win situation for both Southampton and Northern Ireland in the upcoming years.