What will new signing Joshua Quarshie add to Southampton?

Quarshie, who has now joined Saints on a four-year deal, which starts on July 1, 2025, was determined to avoid further punishment against an unbeatable Leverkusen side.

Second-tier Fortuna Düsseldorf had done well to reach the semi-final, and their young defender wanted to claim personal pride.

Despite former Saints winger Tella possessing a clear, unrestricted route to goal, Quarshie defied everything we thought we knew about counter-attack goals.

Nathan Tella has a 10-yard head start over Joshua Quarshie. (Image: Wyscout) The six-foot five-inches tall defender ate away at Tella's head start with ease, and the Nigeria international is no slouch. 

The 20 year old raced back and tackled the forward just as he reached the box. Tella appeared confused when the cameras cut to a close-up. He wasn't sure how he had been caught.

Joshua Quarshie races back to stop Nathan Tella adding a fifth goal for Bayer Leverkusen.  (Image: Wyscout) Last season, while playing on loan at Greuther Fürth, Quarshie recorded the fastest top speed in the 2. Bundesliga, clocking in at 37.04km/h.

To put that into context, Kamaldeen Sulemana, the fastest player at the 2022 World Cup, achieved that feat by running 35.7km/h while playing for Ghana against Uruguay.

Quarshie set his record in the 94th minute of a 1-0 defeat to Hertha Berlin. He was racing back in hope more than anything.

Greuther Fürth's goalkeeper had come forward for a late set-piece, and when his goal was left vacant, Hertha sensed opportunity and fired a long-range effort from within their own half.

Joshua Quarshie races back as Hertha fire a long-range effort towards a vacant net. (Image: Wyscout) Joshua Quarshie reaches the edge of the box just as the ball rolls past the post.  (Image: Wyscout) Although the effort rolled just past the post, Quarshie had run from box to box in the space of four seconds. It made for incredible viewing. 

New Saints defender Quarshie has a growing reputation as a speed demon defender, but the images above also offer an insight into his mentality.

Few would have given him a chance at stopping certain goals, however, the centre-back knows what he is capable of, and so too do Southampton's new recruitment team

Group technical director has strong knowledge of the German market, while Hoffenheim’s youth squad planner, Tim Lederer, is set to join Saints as head of scouting.

Southampton complete the signing of Joshua Quarshie, pictured at the Staplewood Campus. (Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson) Defensively, Quarshie put up decent numbers in the 2. Bundesliga last season. Only five players achieved a higher aerial duel success rate than him in the division.

The German youth international won 64.58 per cent of his 2.77 aerial duels per 90 minutes, and given his height, there is still room for growth here.

He is not afraid to get stuck in and use his lengthy frame either. He ranked in the top 30 for defensive duel success rate in the division - and was sixth of all players 22 and under.

Quarshie won 70.6 per cent of his 3.92 defensive duels per 90. His pace often allows him to recover, even if the attacker has fashioned a yard of space.

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) His rangy body also gives him a longer reach when throwing himself into blocks. He averaged 0.58 blocks per 90 minutes during the 2024/25 season.

At times, Quarshie has fallen foul of being too physical in the eyes of the referee, although he has only averaged 0.58 fouls per 90 minutes, a rather negligible total.

And he will likely be given more leeway in the Championship, which is famed for its physical nature, something the defender is looking forward to.

“English football is a little bit rough, and I like this kind of playing style. With my height and my body, I think I’m in the right spot," he said upon joining Southampton.

Southampton complete the signing of Joshua Quarshie, pictured at the Staplewood Campus. (Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson) It's unclear how big of a role Quarshie will play under Still during his first season. Saints currently have an abundance of centre-backs, but those numbers will be cut this summer.

Jan Bednarek, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Armel Bella-Kotchap could leave the club, opening an avenue for Quarshie to play his part.

If he does make the cut, Southampton will not only gain a quick, tall defender but also a long throw capable of causing real problems.

Last season saw Still's RC Lens score 20 goals from either corners or crosses - crosses: 14, corners: 6. The Belgian-born English coach will welcome a set-piece specialist.

Long throw trait. ✅#SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/LhXArV6ydB

— Just Saints (@JustSaints_) May 29, 2025

This signing does have shades of the Nathan Wood and Ronnie Edwards additions of last summer, not just because of the position of the players in question.

Quarshie does not turn 22 until the end of next season, and having signed a deal until 2029, he has time to adapt to English football and progress as a player.

Getting this deal done early, days before the transfer window has even opened, is also a positive sign heading into a period where a rebuild is required.