Southampton's O'Brien-Whitmarsh joins Northampton

Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh is a Northern Ireland Under 21 international [Getty Images] Northampton Town have signed Southampton midfielder Joe O'Brien-Whitmarsh on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. The 21-year-old made two appearances off the bench for the Saints after joining the south coast club from Cork City in January 2024. O'Brien-Whitmarsh scored three goals in 13 appearances during a loan spell at Accrington Stanley that season, and made just one senior appearance for Southampton last term in their FA Cup win over Leicester. "Joe is a highly technical player," manager Chris Hogg told the club website. "He can play either as a six or a 10 in midfield and he will add quality and technical ability to the group of central midfielders we have. "He plays centrally, he plays on the front foot, always looking to play forward and he can create. He has a rhythm to his play and he is exciting to watch." Listen to Northampton Town content on BBC Sounds