​Southampton have completed the signing of attacker Lewis Dobbin from Aston Villa for a fee of almost £9m.The 23-year-old spent last season on loan at Preston North End, where he scored 11 goals – with eight assists – in 41 Championship appearances.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDobbin never made a senior appearance during his time at Villa after signing from Everton for £10m in 2024.Saints beat off competition from a number of clubs, including Middlesbrough, for the forward’s signature.He has previously had loan spells at West Bromwich Albion, Derby County and Norwich City.”He is already, at a young age, a proven player in the Championship who is always a threat to defences with his speed and ability to stretch teams,” Southampton technical director Johannes Spors told the club website.”His versatility gives us greater flexibility in our forward line. We look forward to seeing him thrive with us not only next season, but in the years ahead.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHead coach Tonda Eckert and his Southampton players have returned for pre-season training and will be back in action on Saturday when they play National League neighbours Eastleigh at the Silverlake Stadium.They will then travel to Germany for two matches before returning to England to start their EFL Cup campaign against Colchester United on 8 August.The FA’s investigation into Southampton’s conduct following Spygate remains ongoing, over a month after being launched.Saints were expelled from the Championship play-offs last season and will start the new campaign on minus four points as part of the punishment handed out by an independent disciplinary commission.Villa’s Dobbin close to £9m Southampton moveLatest Southampton news and analysis