Southampton sign teenage midfielder Tounkara

Issa Tounkara will join the club once he turns 18 in June [Southampton FC]

Southampton have signed 17-year-old Mali youth international Issa Tounkara.

The defensive midfielder plays for Academie des Etoiles du Mande in his homeland and has agreed terms to officially join Saints in the summer after his 18th birthday.

Tounkara recently captained his country at the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations where his side made the final but ended up losing to Morocco on penalties.

"We're delighted to welcome Issa to Southampton," Saints technical director Johannes Spors said.

"He's an exciting talent and there was interest from several top European academies, so we're very pleased he has chosen us.

"He'll now have the time and environment to continue his development within our academy set-up when he arrives at Staplewood in the summer."