SAINTS have confirmed the arrival of USA international Damion Downs as their second addition to Will Still's squad this summer.

The 21 year old arrives after an impressive season with FC Köln, where he scored 10 league goals, helping them win promotion back to the Bundesliga.

He arrived at Staplewood right after representing USA at the Gold Cup this summer, and has signed a four-year deal with the St Mary's side.

Here's everything you need to know about Southampton's new centre-forward...

Who is Damion Downs?

Damion Downs is a German-born USA international striker who has joined Southampton after coming through at FC Köln.

Born to an American father and German mother, Downs moved to the US as a one year old and was raised in Texas until the age of nine.

While living in the States, English became his first language and he played American Football rather than 'soccer'.

But when he returned to Germany, he needed to find a new sport. It was then that he started to play football, and clearly took to it quickly.

He turned out for FC Schweinfurt and FC Ingolstadt before joining the youth ranks at FC Köln, where he would eventually make his senior debut.

Downs was a standout performer, and scored goals for fun in the under-17s, under-19s and Köln's B team, who play in Germany's fourth tier.

His goals helped Köln's under-19s reach the DFB Pokal youth final, and he scored twice in that game, including the winner, as they beat Schalke 4-3.

A then 19 year old Downs made his Bundesliga debut in a 2-1 defeat to Werder Bremen. While he only played 173 league minutes in his first season, he scored twice.

Köln's relegation to the 2. Bundesliga saw the forward's minutes increase. He became a key player for the Billy Goats, scoring 10 goals as they won promotion back to the top-flight.

His form caught the eye of former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino, who handed Downs his first USA call up this summer ahead of the Gold Cup.

The six-foot four-inch centre-forward had played for Germany at youth level, but always remained open to representing the nation of his father.

Downs made his debut in a heavy defeat to Switzerland before making the final squad for the Gold Cup, North America's version of the Euros.

The USA made a run to the final, thanks in part to Downs' penalty shootout winning spot kick in the quarter-finals against Costa Rica.

They eventually lost 2-1 to Mexico in the final, with Downs not starting a single game during the competition.

What sort of player can we expect from Downs? 

Although Downs is tall, he is not simply a hold-up play striker. The recently turned 21 year old is a willing runner in behind who can link up with the midfield. 

It is common to see Downs drop deep to pull defenders out of position before breaking forward to receive a pass over the top of defence.

He can be a bit messy when dropping deep, and will need to tighten up in the Championship, but has shown good signs with his hold up play.

Downs also has room to improve when running through on goal. While he has pace to exploit, the ball can get stuck under his feet.

Damion Downs has half of the pitch to run into, having just come on.Damion Downs has half of the pitch to run into, having just come on. (Image: Wyscout) Damion Downs is caught before reaching the box.Damion Downs is caught before reaching the box. (Image: Wyscout) For all his height, Downs has not yet shown a supremacy in the air, but does have two late headed winners on his CV.

He has also shown a shrewd ability to pick up the correct position in the box, setting him up for a better chance on goal.

Damion Downs' first touch is loose, but the ball ricochets to a teammate on the wing.Damion Downs' first touch is loose, but the ball ricochets to a teammate on the wing. (Image: Wyscout) Köln work the ball from right to left before cutting back to Damion Downs in space.Köln work the ball from right to left before cutting back to Damion Downs in space. (Image: Wyscout) At Köln, he averaged a goal for every 164 minutes he played. If he can maintain that strike rate in the Championship, Saints will be pleased.

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

On growing up in the USA, Downs said: “I was born in Germany and then right after that, one year later, my parents, my half-brother, and I moved to the states.

"We lived in Texas, and I have a lot of memories. All good memories. It was fun living in the states. When I was in the states, I was playing American football.

I didn't have much of a connection to soccer. Then we moved back in 2011 to Germany. My parents divorced. I'd been speaking English first.

"And then when I was like eight, nine, ten, that's when I started to learn German. I started soccer at like eight or nine when I moved to Germany because where I was living, there were no real American football clubs.

"It was pretty much a small town, small village - and obviously in Germany, there are a lot more kids playing soccer. I just had to choose a new sport."

USMNT teammate of Downs, Malik Tillman said: “He’s been in the almost same spot as me when I came in for the first time.

"Young player. Obviously the same background as me. German-American. So we have a different connection than others.

"But he’s a young kid with a lot of potential. He’s a good player. A good striker. Good at finishing, good speed so a lot of potential.”

Why have Saints signed Downs?

Downs, much like Southampton's first signing of the summer, Joshua Quarshie, is another example of where technical director Johannes Spors wants to take this team.

Spors wants young, athletic players with size than can develop alongside the club and eventually be sold for profit.

Downs adds further competition for a forward line who were less than goal shy last season. With Paul Onuachu out of the door, he joins Ross Stewart and Cameron Archer.

For a reported €8million, there is more risk with this signing. It's a rather significant outlay for a Championship club,  but could prove to be a bargain.

Downs, despite his age, also has experience winning promotion. Adding winners to the squad after last season cannot be a bad thing.

New Saints signing Damion Downs at StaplewoodNew Saints signing Damion Downs at Staplewood (Image: Southampton FC)