Everton winger Theo Walcott has returned to Southampton on loan until the end of the season, almost 15 years after he left his boyhood club.
Walcott progressed through Saints’ Academy and made his senior debut aged 16 years and 143 days in August 2005, before joining Arsenal in January 2006 after an impressive half-season in the Championship.
“I will probably cry, I bet, when I first play, and it means so much. All the people that made it happen, I can’t thank them enough. Honestly, I’m so pleased,” he told the club’s official website.
“I was seriously lost for words when Southampton came on the table, and for me it was such an easy decision.
“To get the chance to work with the manager as well and these young players that are coming through, I feel like I’ve made the right choice.”
The 31-year-old claimed 65 goals and 43 assists in 270 Premier League appearances during his 12 years with Arsenal, before joining Everton in January 2018.
He added 10 goals and eight assists in 77 PL matches for the Toffees.
Southampton are next in action on Saturday 17 October when they travel to Chelsea.