USMNT forward Damion Downs officially signs for Southampton from FCKoln in $9.5M transfer

U.S. men's national team striker Damion Downs has officially joined English Championship side Southampton from German Bundesliga side FC Koln for a fee of $9.5M (£7M). The 21-year-old recently earned his first caps with the USMNT during the CONCACAF Gold Cup and was a breakout performer for the USMNT during the competition.

"Everybody plays football to win titles," Downs told the Saints website after agreeing a four-year contract. "To win my first title at 20 last year was a great feeling, and I hope to repeat it again this year. I think Southampton is a big club that should be in the Premier League, and that's my goal - to help the team as much as I can to bring the club back to the Premier League."

Downs, 21, was a standout performer for FC Koln during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 11 goals in 32 matches across all competitions as he helped them secure promotion from the 2. Bundesliga to the first division in Germany.

In May, he received his first call-up to the U.S. men's national team and made his debut off the bench against Switzerland in an international friendly on June 10. He logged 28 minutes off the bench against Saudi Arabia in the USMNT's Gold Cup opener, becoming cap-tied to the program.

In total, Downs appeared in five of the six matches for the USA at the Gold Cup, and in the quarterfinals against Costa Rica, he scored the game-winning penalty in a shootout after a 2-2 regulation draw between the two teams.

“Damion is a player we have been monitoring for some time who possesses excellent physical qualities and the ability to disrupt defenses," said Johannes Spors, Southampton technical director. “Strengthening our attacking options was one of our top priorities this summer, and Damion is a player who will add real quality to the group. Despite his relatively young age, he is already a senior international, so we are excited to see him thrive in the environment here at Southampton.”

Southampton were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2024-25 season after recording just 12 points across 38 matches. They had a record of 2-6-30, scoring just 26 total goals.

The 21-year-old has already reported for his first day at the club, with the Saints posting on social media. Downs posed for a photo in his new kit. Southampton open the 2025-26 Championship campaign on Aug. 9 against AFC Wrexham.