Manchester City insert ‘considerable’ add-ons within contract of new Southampton signing | OneFootball

Manchester City and Southampton have agreed two significant add-ons within the contract of Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

The 22-year-old officially completed a £20 million exit from Manchester City on Monday, permanently signing for newly-promoted Southampton following an initial season-long at St Mary’s during the recent 2023/24 campaign.

The Saints overcame Leeds United 0-1 in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final in May, with Harwood-Bellis making his 46th appearance for Southampton during the historic victory at Wembley Stadium.

The former Manchester City centre-back made 43 Sky Bet Championship appearances for Southampton, and was involved in five goals for Russell Martin’s side over the course of the campaign.

Harwood-Bellis claimed promotion to the Premier League for a second successive year, with the defender having also been promoted to the top-flight with Burnley in 2023, one of four Championship loan spells.

The 22-year-old previously spent time at Blackburn, RSC Anderlecht and Stoke City, as well enjoying campaigns at Turf Moor and St Mary’s.

The Stockport-born defender had been at Manchester City since the age of six, and made eight first-team appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, making his debut against Preston North End in the League Cup in 2019.

The England Under-21 international could still play for Manchester City in the future, with Etihad bosses having reportedly inserted two major clauses within the defender’s Southampton contract, including a buy-back option.

According to the information of Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, the Sky Blues have included ‘considerable’ add-ons within the deal, including a 25% sell-on clause and first option buy-back for the next three years.

The add-ons were structured similar to Leicester City’s signing of Kelechi Iheanacho, and come despite Manchester City earning a sizeable £20 million from the player’s sale.

A Southampton statement confirming the transfer, said: “Southampton Football Club is delighted to confirm Taylor Harwood-Bellis has today finalised his permanent move to St Mary’s on a four-year contract.

“The 22-year-old central defender joined on loan from Manchester City last summer, playing a key role as the Men’s First Team achieved promotion back to the Premier League.

“That activated a clause in the agreement that allowed his move to become a permanent one, with Harwood-Bellis’s new deal beginning from today.”