Danny Ings has made an emotional homecoming after the Saints fan signed for the club he loves in a dramatic deadline day deal.

The 26-year-old striker, who grew up playing football on Netley Recreation Ground, was a shock late signing for Saints.

Indeed, the move came so late in the day that Saints had to submit a deal sheet to the Premier League to grant them a two-hour extension to the transfer window to get the deal done.

Ings has joined from Liverpool on loan for the rest of the season ahead of a permanent switch next summer for a fee of £16m.

Ings was born in Winchester and grew up in Netley dreaming of playing for Saints while kicking a ball with his dad on Netley Recreation Ground.

While a pupil at Netley Abbey Primary School, he was rejected by Saints after being told he was too small.

Ings was schooled at Hamble Community Sports College and a scholarship took him to Brockenhurst College after impressing in a trial for AFC Bournemouth in his last year at school.

He went onto play for Cherries and Burnley, before joining Liverpool in 2015.

His time there has been disrupted by injuries, which have limited him to 14 appearances in three seasons at Anfield.

However, Mark Hughes sees him as the right man to add firepower to a Saints attack that has struggled for goals.

Hughes said: Southampton manager Mark Hughes said: “There was significant competition for Danny, with a lot of clubs keen to complete a deal for him, so we’re clearly delighted that he chose to join us.

“We have admired him for some time now, not only for his ability, but also his character and personality, which we feel will be an ideal fit in our dressing room.

“He’s obviously a local boy, who gives us another excellent option up front.

“He didn’t get to play as much as he would have liked at Liverpool, but he has been injury-free for some time now and has a real point to prove.

“It’s a great boost for us on the eve of the season to bring another quality player into the squad, and we’re excited about what he can bring to the group.”

Ings added: “When this football club came up, I had to take the opportunity to come home. It’s a fantastic football club who play great football and I’m just happy here.

“You can tell that as a club it’s very, very organised. From the start, everyone I’ve met has been fantastic with me and shown me every single detail I need to know. The facilities are great and I can’t wait to get started.”

It was otherwise a quiet deadline day for Saints, who didn’t lose anybody, despite rumblings that Fulham may make an irresistible offer for Matt Targett and James Ward-Prowse could move to Watford.

Fraser Forster also remains at the club, but with the European window open until the end of the month it remains a possibility he could move abroad on loan if a suitable deal arises.