Daniel Peretz was a standout component of Southampton's defence in the latter stages of the Championship season just gone.
Finally, the Saints had uncovered a competent goalkeeper, with the Bayern Munich loanee ending his stint in England with a sublime nine clean sheets next to his name. Fast forward to the present, and the 25-year-old is now a permanent part of Tonda Eckert's camp, having just sealed a move for good from the Bavarian giants.
Alongside Peretz, though, Taylor Harwood-Bellis was also formidable as the South Coast side surged up the league standings, with the Saints' captain bowing out from the season with seven goals as a resolute battler in the heart of Eckert and Co's defence.
He could be leaving the club, even as Peretz calls St. Mary's his permanent abode, with lots of interest in Harwood-Bellis' services emerging.
Will Harwood-Bellis leave?
The former Burnley defender will be itching to prove himself in the Premier League now, having stood out as of the Championship's toughest centre-backs last campaign.
Hull City and Coventry City are allegedly keen on adding the Saints' captain to their respective rosters this summer, as they try to swim, and not sink, after promotion.
Southampton fans might hold onto some comfort that they can keep Harwood-Bellis grounded at St. Mary's next season, as he is a long-lasting servant of the club at this point, having been on the books of the South Coast club for three years, both as a loanee, and as a £20m acquisition.
He could wait it out and help the Saints gain promotion to the Premier League, with all the talk coming out of the Southampton camp right now that next season is somewhat of a vengeance tour, after Spygate cruelly rid them of the ecstasy of a playoff final victory.
Yet, having Premier League football immediately in his grasp might prove to be a temptation that's too hard to resist, with this Saints youngster perhaps handed some first-team opportunities, if Harwood-Bellis does decide to leave for the Tigers or the Sky Blues.
His exit could gift this youngster first team chances
Joachim Kayi Sanda could potentially benefit from Harwood-Bellis' exit if Hull or Coventry decides to cough up the big bucks.
The Frenchman has already been exposed to the first team picture at the Saints twice, with a handful of Premier League appearances handed to him by Simon Rusk at the close of last season in brief cameos versus Everton and Arsenal.
Despite only being 19, as well, he has 26 Ligue 2 outings under his belt for ex-employers Valenciennes FC, having made his senior debut for the French side when he was just 16. Ahmed Kantari, who managed Sanda at Valenciennes, would state that the young centre-back showed "a lot of maturity" for a teenager learning the ropes.
His next obstacle to overcome in the men's game is gaining more first-team minutes at St. Mary's, and with three goals and three assists next to his name for the U21s, it's clear he has the same eye for a goal and a pass as Harwood-Bellis does in Eckert's set-up.
Wearing the captain's armband during the U21's last two Premier League 2 games of the season, too, it wouldn't be an almighty shock if Sanda was gifted some first team chances shortly, particularly if there is a hole to be filled if Harwood-Bellis departs.
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