Finn Azaz - Official: Signs 4 Year Deal

[Whitey Grandad]

3 hours ago, VectisSaint said:

Iain Dowie and Stuart Armstrong were well qualified Saints. Steve Heighway of Liverpool was successful.

Steve Palmer went to my college at Cambridge and I believe he used to live in Colden Common. 

[CSA96]

Named in the Ireland squad for their WC qualifiers so won't spend more than a couple of days on the training ground before the south coast derby, annoyingly

[Football Special]

5 hours ago, CSA96 said:

Named in the Ireland squad for their WC qualifiers so won't spend more than a couple of days on the training ground before the south coast derby, annoyingly

We'll have to rely on Bazunu and Manning to bring him up to speed whilst away on duty. 

Assume Skates don't get many call ups so will be able to spend the international break focusing on the derby 

[Matthew Le God]

5 hours ago, CSA96 said:

Named in the Ireland squad for their WC qualifiers so won't spend more than a couple of days on the training ground before the south coast derby, annoyingly

Might more than 2 days, might be up to 5 days. If he signs today, he'll have tomorrow to train, possibly even some time today depending on timing of when the deal is completed.

Republic of Ireland play on the 9th and the derby is on the 14th.

10th will be a travel/rest day. He then has the 11th, 12th & 13th to train.

[Charlie Wayman]

14 hours ago, Miltonaggro said:

Along with Mads, just the type of signing we need to make if serious about a swift return to the Prem.  Good work Spors!

A trifle premature?

[Charlie Wayman]

13 hours ago, Dusic said:

Would have preferred Spertsyan but was never going to happen so this seems a good deal.

Hopefully can ads a couple of wide players now and then no excuses really.

When all fit its surely 3 from 4 of Downes, Charles, Fernandes and Azaz although wouldnt suprise me if he played up front on occassion!

The fact that we have brought in Azaz pretty much confirms that Fernandes is gone, so it's three from three

[Matthew Le God]

1 minute ago, Charlie Wayman said:

The fact that we have brought in Azaz pretty much confirms that Fernandes is gone, so it's three from three

Jumping to conclusions.

[trousers]

4 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Jumping to conclusions.

{MLG Mode}

"pretty much" means 'very nearly', so he's leaving the door open for Fernandes staying. So, no, it's not a conclusive statement... 

{Exit MLG Mode}

#itsonlybanter

[CSA96]

32 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Might more than 2 days, might be up to 5 days. If he signs today, he'll have tomorrow to train, possibly even some time today depending on timing of when the deal is completed.

Republic of Ireland play on the 9th and the derby is on the 14th.

10th will be a travel/rest day. He then has the 11th, 12th & 13th to train.

Right, but they won’t be working on the Pompey game in the two days this week will they? So he’ll get a couple of days, maybe three, on the training ground to prepare for that one…

[gio1saints]

IF Finn Azaz signs it heralds further signings / transfers and likely formation changes. 

Why? His best position is as a #10. Saints would be nuts to play him in any other position apart from that - in which he’s proven, objectively, one of most effective in this division last two years. We don’t currently play with a specialist #10 like that. 

There’s clear knock on implications, especially formations. Just one for now- it’s not uncommon for teams that play a specialist #10 to also have a “minder” #6 . That certainly could be Flynn ( has the engine but not the physicality) or Shea (is that a waste?) or it could be a new role for Sesay that he didn’t know he was born to play! But none are probably as good in that role straight away as a certain ex player of ours just left Barcelona to join Girona I think 😉. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

Seeing unofficial claims this morning that it’s done already, although in truth it’s likely the signing is today and we’ll see a media release this PM. On the face of it, it’s a great signing.

[Chez]

1 hour ago, Charlie Wayman said:

The fact that we have brought in Azaz pretty much confirms that Fernandes is gone, so it's three from three

I'd be inclined to agree. That said, I thought there was mention in the not too distant past that Still thought Fernandes might be better playing from a slightly deeper starting position, which might allow us to play both. 

[Ken Tone]

Gutted to lose both Dibling and Fernandes. Had hoped we'd keep one. 

Just hope we can hang on to Robinson and the other youngsters for a few years ..... assuming he doesn't go in this window too!

[gio1saints]

45 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

IF Finn Azaz signs it heralds further signings / transfers and likely formation changes. 

Why? His best position is as a #10. Saints would be nuts to play him in any other position apart from that - in which he’s proven, objectively, one of most effective in this division last two years. We don’t currently play with a specialist #10 like that. 

There’s clear knock on implications, especially formations. Just one for now- it’s not uncommon for teams that play a specialist #10 to also have a “minder” #6 . That certainly could be Flynn ( has the engine but not the physicality) or Shea (is that a waste?) or it could be a new role for Sesay that he didn’t know he was born to play! But none are probably as good in that role straight away as a certain ex player of ours just left Barcelona to join Girona I think 😉. 

I guess we have our answer : Jander. That’s didn’t take long did it😉

[skintsaint]

15 minutes ago, Ken Tone said:

Just hope we can hang on to Robinson

Don't even go there, can't lose all 3 in one window.........can we?

[tdmickey3]

36 minutes ago, Ken Tone said:

Gutted to lose both Dibling and Fernandes. Had hoped we'd keep one. 

Just hope we can hang on to Robinson and the other youngsters for a few years ..... assuming he doesn't go in this window too!

That's next years "we wont sell for less than 50m"........... cave in

[Juneau]

I’ve cooked, thank me later 😎

 

Finn Azaz.

We’ll sing this when he score’s tonight! 

He hates the scum in PO1 water.

Underneath the red floodlights, a sight, he’s my, Finn Azaz.

 

…We’ll sing this when he score’s tonight! 

Le Tiss, but a little bit taller. 

Underneath the red floodlights, a sight, he’s my, Finn Azaz.

 

 

 

[sad saints fan]

Solent reporting all agreed

[benjii]

5 hours ago, Juneau said:

I’ve cooked, thank me later 😎

 

 

Finn Azaz.

We’ll sing this when he score’s tonight! 

He hates the scum in PO1 water.

Underneath the red floodlights, a sight, he’s my, Finn Azaz.

 

…We’ll sing this when he score’s tonight! 

Le Tiss, but a little bit taller. 

Underneath the red floodlights, a sight, he’s my, Finn Azaz.

 

 

 

No thank you, dear.

[Vancouver Saint]

Sounds like an excellent signing by all accounts - and weakens a Championship opponent challenger at the same time - double-whammy.

[The Kraken]

12 hours ago, Charlie Wayman said:

The fact that we have brought in Azaz pretty much confirms that Fernandes is gone, so it's three from three

 

12 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

Jumping to conclusions.

This aged well.

[Matthew Le God]

4 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

This aged well.

I didn't say it was wrong or wouldn't happen. I said it was jumping to conclusions. Very different things! Plus I think Caspar Jander is more of the Fernandes replacement than Azaz.

[ChrisPY]

6 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

I didn't say it was wrong or wouldn't happen. I said it was jumping to conclusions. Very different things! Plus I think Caspar Jander is more of the Fernandes replacement than Azaz.

Jumping to conclusions. You’ve not seen how Will Still will deploy them yet. (Unless you think using available facts and making reasonable assumptions is now an acceptable action).

[Turkish]

Come on announce him FFS

[egg]

6 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Come on announce him FFS

Yep. I don't like all these "advanced talks", "agreed in principle" reports. It ain't over til the man signs on the line. I do wonder if the deals are contingent on shifting more players through the exit. 

[Matthew Le God]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

I think Caspar Jander is more of the Fernandes replacement than Azaz.

 

1 hour ago, ChrisPY said:

Jumping to conclusions. You’ve not seen how Will Still will deploy them yet. (Unless you think using available facts and making reasonable assumptions is now an acceptable action).

No jumping needed! When talking directly about if signing Caspar Jander is a coup, Will Still said "If it does (come off), then yeah. If Matty is gone, we need quality in that position".

 

Edited 13 hours ago by Matthew Le God

[Sir Ralph]

On 27/08/2025 at 16:30, OldNick said:

My Boro supporting friend says he;s very good but has no pace. 

Finn Azaz - rare to find a man whose first name and last name only constitute 5 different letters.

Imagine if the deal is done already he could be on the bench for Watford

Edited 12 hours ago by Sir Ralph

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

6 hours ago, Sir Ralph said:

Imagine if the deal is done already he could be on the bench for Watford

FFS, gazumped by f’kin Watford……….

[Harry_SFC]

8 hours ago, Sir Ralph said:

Finn Azaz - rare to find a man whose first name and last name only constitute 5 different letters.

Imagine if the deal is done already he could be on the bench for Watford

The good thing is that all 3 of these players have played regularly at the start of the season and appear to be fit and ready to go

[Gloucester Saint]

6 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

The good thing is that all 3 of these players have played regularly at the start of the season and appear to be fit and ready to go

This is very important, the risk with too many loans is that they’ve on the fringes at their parent clubs even if it’s a higher level and by the time they get fully match fit it is October and you are 10 points off the automatic places. That and hopefully, IF we were promoted again this season or next that they have the ability to adapt in the PL.

On paper, much better quality than what we recruited last summer and the high turnover is welcome after the train wreck of 2024/25. But we will find out on grass over the next 12-24 months. 

[CSA96]

 

[CSA96]

[S-Clarke]

One of the best attacking players in this division, with the stats to back that up. What's not to like?

It feels like the old days of us being under Adkins, buying the best players in the league we're in in common sense positions. This guy, Roesrlev and Fellows are no brainer/top of the tree style signings for us.

[Bakovnetski]

Get in!

[TheSoundman]

2 minutes ago, CSA96 said:

 

I reckon they had that one ready to suit any one of a number of signings. A few interchangeable names there...

[Colinjb]

Welcome aboard!

INSANE signing.

[SNSUN]

Welcome Finn. Rebuild starts. 

[CSA96]

[Sir Ralph]

5 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

One of the best attacking players in this division, with the stats to back that up. What's not to like?

It feels like the old days of us being under Adkins, buying the best players in the league we're in in common sense positions. This guy, Roesrlev and Fellows are no brainer/top of the tree style signings for us.

Being a top dog in the Championship is so much better than being a PL whipping boy!

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Bored of Azaz now. Where’s Fellows? Or Jander?

(Welcome Finn!)

[gio1saints]

Must play Saturday. At least last 30 minutes.
At last we buy instant upgrades on what we have! Last one was Aaron but prior to that’s there’s been too many  signings that were not so obviously much better and with both eyes on the future. Ok I’m exaggerating but the point is made- he’s for NOW  - it’s NOT a give him time this year and settle in then next season he might be a player kind of ( Matsuki, Downs,Quarshie) transfer thing. Mads ditto. And neither are off to Goztepe either!!

Edited 1 hour ago by gio1saints

[stfrancisofbenali]

Our first proper No 10 since Tadic?

[Give it to Ron]

Panic Buy 🙂

[S-Clarke]

3 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

Must play Saturday. At least last 30 minutes.
At last we buy instant upgrades on what we have! Last one was Aaron but prior to that’s there’s been too many  signings that were not so obviously much better and with both eyes on the future. Ok I’m exaggerating but the point is made- he’s for NOW  - it’s NOT a give him time this year and settle in then next season he might be a player kind of ( Matsuki, Downs,Quarshie) transfer thing. Mads ditto. And neither are off to Goztepe either!!

This is exactly what we needed to do. We already had a squad of mish-mash quality, not enough competitiveness in training etc - we needed to raise the level, in terms of the level we're now at.

The signing of Downs and Quashie add some profiles we didn't have before, but they're not what I'd call ready made. George Long was a bit of a wtf.

But Azaz, Fellows and Mads are much more like it. All 3 of those immediately increase the level of the team and improve the quality in their respective positions. Let's hope we have a couple more up our sleeve too.

[Lighthouse]

He’ll do.

[stfrancisofbenali]

On 28/08/2025 at 07:49, Charlie Wayman said:

The fact that we have brought in Azaz pretty much confirms that Fernandes is gone, so it's three from three

As did West Ham's announcement 10 mins before Azaz was unveiled.

[sockeye]

Great signing! Welcome Finn!

[AlexLaw76]

Brilliant signing, and one I hoped we would make at the start of the window 

[Patches O Houlihan]

3 minutes ago, stfrancisofbenali said:

Our first proper No 10 since Tadic?

Stu Armstrong would like a word...

[S-Clarke]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

Brilliant signing, and one I hoped we would make at the start of the window 

I assume you have better knowledge than most on this one due to your Plymouth connections! I fancied us to get him when he made his move to Boro in 2024., I'm sure we were linked at the time and went for Brooks instead (equally good, but used awfully by the fraud)