Who is Joshua Quarshie and why have Southampton signed him?

The 20 year old defender becomes the first new addition to manager Will Still's squad ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

Quarshie's arrival has been confirmed days before the transfer window opens, representing a fresh, forward-thinking approach to the club's recruitment.

Here's everything you need to know about Southampton's new speed demon centre-back...

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Who is Joshua Quarshie?

Joshua Quarshie is a six-foot five-inch, 20 year old defender, born in Duisburg, Germany, with experience playing in Germany's second tier.

The young centre-back represented several clubs at youth level - Duisburg FV 08, DSC Prussia and TuRa 1888 eV Duisburg - before signing his first professional contract.

That deal was struck at Schalke 04, where he spent two years, before joining Fortuna Düsseldorf and later Rot-Weiss Essen.

It was during his time at Rot-Weiss Essen, working with trainer Philip Heinen, that Quarshie started to focus on his pace and strength.

Heinen set out a regimen of sprinting and strength work, which Quarshie credits for improving his speed.

After two years in Essen, Quarshie joined TSG Hoffenheim. A German under-18 international at the time, he quickly joined Hoffenheim's B team, who play in the fourth tier.

He made 27 appearances in that first season, scoring once against Wormatia Worms, but his best moment of the campaign came in November.

Joshua Quarshie, 20, has signed a four-year deal with Saints. (Image: Southampton FC/FC) In the final minute of a 2-1 defeat to Wolfsburg, Quarshie entered for his Bundesliga debut. That remains his only top-level appearance.

Another half-season followed with the second team before Quarshie departed for his first senior loan experience, re-joining Fortuna Dusseldorf, where he spent time in his youth.

Having just extended his contract to 2027, the then 19 year old joined the 2. Bundesliga club on a one-and-a-half-year loan deal.

His time at Fortuna was cut short in January 2025 due to sporadic game time, having only managed 16 appearances in the first year of his loan.

However, he did manage to help Fortuna reach the semi-final of the DFB-Pokal, eventually losing to Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 as they extended their unbeaten run to 40 games.

Quarshie was subsequently loaned out ot Greuther Fürth, where he found more consistent game time, and started every match after joining the club.

He has twice been called up to Germany's under-21 national team, but is yet to make an appearance at that level, but does have 22 youth caps for his country.

What sort of player can we expect from Quarshie? 

One thing is apparent when watching Quarshie play: he is rapid. In fact, he actually hit the fastest top speed in the 2. Bundesliga last season (37.04 km/h).

That pace allows Quarshie to sweep up defensively and snuff out balls played in behind the defence.

Saints are expected to receive more of the ball now that they are back in the Championship, and having someone capable of tracking back quickly will be important.

Joshua Quarshie races back to cut out a through ball against Magdeburg (Image: Wyscout) Joshua Quarshie reaches the ball first and snuffs out an early Magdeburg chance. (Image: Wyscout)

A look at Joshua Quarshie, Southampton's new 6ft 5 speed demon centre-back.

At 20, Quarshie has already cut his teeth at senior level. There's a lot to like and plenty of room for growth as a player.#SaintsFChttps://t.co/DGNUeImCzQ

— George Rees-Julian (@rees_julian) May 30, 2025

Quarshie won 70.6 per cent of his 3.92 defensive duels per 90 during the 2024/25 season, which ranks him in the top 30 in Germany's second tier.

In addition to his pace, Quarshie makes the most of his rangy frame by throwing himself in the way of shots and using his height to suffocate forwards.

He can also launch long throws into the box, which will be music to the ears of new manager Still, whose RC Lens scored 20 goals from set-pieces and crosses in Ligue 1.

What has Quarshie said, and what has been said about him?

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, German football commentator Dr. Constantin Eckner said:  "Quarshie was one of the more promising talents in the Bundesliga 2.

"It was expected that he would move on somewhere, and the link to Southampton probably comes through the new director, Johannes Spors.

"His height and athletic promise are there. He's still very young, so he's still a work in progress, but he's technically pretty proficient.

"He's not just the type of player to play one steller pass after another, but he's pretty precise when it comes to build-up passes too.

"Fans should expect someone who's still in development and who will still have to become a professional player at that level.

"With the schedule of the Championship, you play so many games over a season. With Quarshie, you have someone who is tall, athletic, two-footed and has a lot of upsides."

Joshua Quarshie(L), pictured with Group Technical Director Johannes Spors at the Staplewood Campus. (Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson) Group technical director Spors said: “Joshua is a talented young player with good experience for his age, having played more than 80 senior games already in his career, and has tremendous physical qualities.

“His outstanding athleticism makes him a natural fit for the energetic playing style our new manager hopes to implement.

"As a club, we are committed to improving young players, and Joshua is very determined to develop his game with us.”

On setting the fastest top speed in the 2. Bundesliga this season, Quarshie said: "If I'm honest, I didn't even think I was that fast because it was the last sprint of the game. 

"I think 90 something minutes. In my head, I was thinking okay, maybe I'll catch up and run as fast as possible, but I never thought I would run 37 kilometres, so it's nice."

Why have Saints signed Quarshie?

The addition of Quarshie adds a different profile to Southampton's centre-back options, and further future-proofs that position.

Jan Bednarek, Armel Bella-Kotchap and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are expected to draw interest this summer. 

If these three do leave, Saints need depth, and Quarshie provides that. The club have shown some foresight.

Much like the additions of Nathan Wood and Ronnie Edwards last summer, Quarshie has time to adjust to football at this level.

And at a reported £3.5million, it's a somewhat risk-free signing which could transpire to be a bargain, and someone Southampton can turn a healthy profit on.

As outlined above, he already has some traits ideal for the Championship and appears to be someone who can slot straight into Will Still's system.