Tella inherits Le Tissier's iconic Southampton number
Posted : 04 August 2023
Southampton has recently revealed the squad numbers for the upcoming 2023-2024 season, and it's exciting news for Nigerian football fans as four Nigeria-eligible players are confirmed to be part of the first-team squad.
The team is gearing up for their Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Friday night.
One of the standout players is Nathan Tella, who has returned to the St Mary's Stadium following a successful season-long loan spell at Burnley.
The winger has been assigned the prestigious number 11 shirt. Interestingly, his previous number 23 jersey has now been passed on to another talented player, Sam Edozie.
Edozie, an England youth international with Nigerian heritage, made his move to Southampton from Manchester City the previous summer.
The number 11 shirt at Southampton holds a special significance, having been previously worn by legendary players such as Matt Le Tissier, Alan Shearer, and Andy Townsend.
This makes Tella's new assignment all the more noteworthy, and fans will be eager to see how he lives up to the legacy of those who wore the shirt before him.
Tella had an outstanding performance in the 2022-2023 Championship season, marking his debut in the division.
He scored an impressive 17 goals in 35 appearances, significantly contributing to Burnley's swift return to the topflight.
The other Nigeria-eligible players in the squad, Joe Aribo, Paul Onuachu, and Sam Edozie, have retained the squad numbers they were initially assigned in their debut season at Southampton.
Aribo will proudly wear number 7, while Onuachu will be seen in the number 12 jersey. There are speculations surrounding their future, making their contributions in the upcoming season all the more significant.
As the team prepares for the Championship opener against Sheffield Wednesday, fans will be eagerly anticipating the debut of Aribo, Onuachu, and Edozie in this highly anticipated match.
The inclusion of these talented players adds to the excitement surrounding Southampton's prospects for the new season.
ADD A COMMENT :
Hot Topics
User name is required Email Id is required Comment is required
ADD A COMMENT :