Southampton’s latest Northern Irish starlet is aiming to be like ‘Luke Shaw and Theo Walcott’

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Southampton are hard at work to ensure the 2025/26 championship season is a success for the club, as they aim to be part of the English top flight once again, sooner rather than later.

The Saints have appointed highly sought-after manager Will Still in charge for the upcoming Championship season, and they have already gone about doing some business in the transfer window.

Mauricio Pochettino persuaded Damion Downs to join the Saints, while Joshua Quarshie has made his way to St. Mary’s to help shore up the defence after a record-breaking 2024/25 Premier League campaign for all the wrong reasons.

A signing that may have gone under the radar was the acquisition of a 16-year-old Northern Ireland starlet who is determined to have a bright future on the south coast.

While he may not be in Still’s plans for this season, there is a lot expected of the youngster, having already made his professional debut for the club he has supported his entire life.

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Northern Irish starlet aiming to be like ‘Luke Shaw and Theo Walcott’

Southampton signed Calum Anderson from Linfield this summer, with the 16-year-old set to begin his life on the south coast in the Saints’ academy.

Anderson is thankful for his time at the Belfast club and for David Healy having faith in him to give him his senior debut in the Irish Cup last season.

However, speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Anderson admitted that the set-up at Southampton was too good an opportunity to turn down, and he is aiming to become the latest academy graduate to make an impact for the Saints.

He said: “Other clubs were interested in me, but we have seen good talent come through the Academy, and they have a good reputation for developing players like Luke Shaw and Theo Walcott.

“Southampton showed me around the stadium and gave me a shirt before I signed; they showed how much they wanted me.

“It will be a step up for me, and it’s the attention to detail that is different.”

Who is Calum Anderson?

Anderson has been viewed as a future Northern Ireland star, and a lot is expected of him despite being only 16.

The centre-back has met all these expectations to this point, and there is no indication this is going to change after his move to Southampton.

Anderson has already made his senior debut, as he played in the Irish Cup against Wellington Rec, playing 20 minutes at left back.

He has made waves on the underage international stage as he captained Northern Ireland in the Victory Shield and represented the U17 side in their UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification.

Anderson has always looked assured on the ball and is a steady head at the heart of defence, while also being a leader among his peers, all traits Southampton will be desperate for in a future defender for the club.