Manchester City will pocket a £20million windfall following Southampton’s promotion back to the Premier League.
Russell Martin’s side ended their year-long hiatus from the top-flight sealing a 1-0 victory against Leeds United in Sunday’s Championship play-off final.
While there was elation for Saints, Daniel Farke’s side dropped to their haunches at full time, having now failed to gain promotion to the Premier League in all six of their previous Championship play-off campaigns. Leeds have also lost in all three of their previous trips to Wembley.
Adam Armstrong’s first half strike proved decisive, with Leeds unable to find an equaliser – thanks in part to Saints’ resolute defensive display.
Jan Bednarek and Jack Stephens commanded the Saints’ backline with 22-year-old defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis also standing out as one of Southampton’s top performers.
Harwood-Bellis joined the club on loan from Man City on transfer deadline day last summer and has been one of the signings of the season for Saints, returning two goals and four assists across 46 appearances for the club in all competitions.
Last season, the young defender had also helped Vincent Kompany’s Burnley win the Championship, following a dominant season that saw the Clarets amass over 100 points, losing just three matches.
Southampton’s promotion back to the top-flight has triggered a clause in his loan contract that will see Harwood-Bellis move permanently to St Mary’s this season.
As part of the arrangement, Saints will now pay City £20million for his services.
Harwood-Bellis, a graduate of City’s academy, stated that the prospect of staying at the club was a huge motivation to help his side seal the win on Sunday.
‘I’m over the moon. It had a massive edge to it knowing that I’m staying here permanently,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘It had a little bit more certainty to it. It had a little bit more certainty to it, knowing “give it everything and get promoted,”‘ he added, comparing sealing promotion via the play-offs to gaining automatic promotion with Burnley last year.
‘I can’t tell you the feeling that I’ve got a contract here and that I’m now a Southampton player.’
He added: ‘I love the club – it’s a special football club and the fans are amazing.’
On comparing promotion with the Clarets to Sunday’s victory, he said: ‘It’s hard to speak about this year compared to last year. Another special football club.
‘Last year was unbelievable with a special football club and this year was completely different,’ he said. ‘Obviously coming to Wembley and not doing it automatically, I can’t describe that feeling of the final whistle – it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life now.’
‘I know I’m permanently here now so I’m buzzing, I’m buzzing.’
