Promotion chasing AFC Totton have pulled off a coup in the transfer market by signing an ex Saints player ahead of their trip to Winchester City this evening.

AFC Totton have signed ex Southampton central defender Jose Fonte from French side Lille !

Sorry I read that wrong it should read

AFC Totton have bolstered their promotion-chasing squad with the signing of ex Southampton central defender Pascal Kpohomouh.

It was just easier to spell Fonte.

Aged just 20 he arrives at the Snows Stadium from Southern Premier Division South side Hartley Wintney, he left Saints in July 2021 and initially joined Weston Super Mare before making the move to Hartley Witney in October last year.

He grew up in Manchester and was a part of the Manchester City academy up until the age of 16, before making the move south to Southampton in July 2020, but his year at St Mary's was not enough to convince Saints that he had a future at the club.

He has also represented England at under-16, under-17, and under-18 level.

This is a big signing for AFC Totton who look to try and haul in leaders Frome Town by beating Winchester City away this evening, Frome have a 7 point lead on the Stags but have played two games more, so the title race is still wide open, however it might just tip a little in Totton's favour with this signing.

The game takes place this evening Friday 7th January with a 7.45pm kick off at Winchester City's ground.

Two special trains will depart from Totton station this evening, the first at 17.47 pm will allow plenty of time in the pub beforehand and the second an hour later at 18.47.

The designated away pub is The Mucky Duck, 200 metres from Winchester Station and a 10 minute walk to the stadium.

The return train will be at 20.33 from Winchester.

After the game ATC Totton fans will be escorted back to the station by a Police escort including a contingent from the mounted division of the Berkshire Constabulary.

Photo: Action Images

underweststand added 17:55 - Jan 7 The lad obviously had some talent to get a place in the Academy, but at graduation there aren't always a lot of spaces to move up - especially if there are others in the same role. Pascal drew the short straw last summer whilst others moved up to the B team squad. It doesn't mean his senior career is over - merely "delayed" for a while. There are a host of past players who were " late-developers " and still made it to the big time. Most recently we saw former Academy talent Ben White making a name for himself at Brighton and onward to Arsenal - and winning an England cap alongside Tyrone Mings - another Saints youngster who had to come up the hard way. Those with long memories will recall that during Lawrie Mac's time in the 1980's , we released a couple of undersized teenagers who went into non-league football, before progressing upwards to greater glory. I'm referring to Dennis Wise and Kevin Phillips . I've enjoyed following some former Saints youngsters who "missed the boat " the first time around yet still made a career in the game. Last count it was more than 30 names. One of which was Ollie Lancashire - who came through the Youth system around 15 years ago - but didn't make the grade at the time but turned up again last summer after more than 300 games in various clubs, and is back as player/ coach to our young B team squad, and can offer lots of advice about how the world is when you play in the "men's game " that lies below the Prem. glory. I hope that Pascal can build a new career and in time may find himself moving up to a League side and upwards. Certainly he has a name one couldn't forget. Kpohomouh.

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