Southampton re-signs former captain James Ward-Prowse from West Ham United

James Ward-Prowse is heading back to St Mary’s. Southampton have completed a deal to bring their former captain home from West Ham United, reuniting the 31-year-old set-piece specialist with the only other club he’s ever really known. Ward-Prowse joined Southampton’s academy at age eight. He left at 28. A homecoming two decades in the making The numbers tell most of the story. Ward-Prowse made 410 appearances for Southampton between 2011 and 2023, scoring 55 goals. He debuted for the senior team at 16, captained the side, and became one of the most recognizable figures in the club’s modern history. Then West Ham came calling in August 2023, paying a reported £30 million for his services and handing him a contract through 2027. Southampton had just been relegated from the Premier League, and Ward-Prowse had Premier League football left in his legs. He made 75 appearances across all competitions for the Hammers. But this season has been a different story entirely. Ward-Prowse has featured in just two matches, both as a substitute, totaling a grand total of 60 minutes on the pitch. He was omitted from recent West Ham lineups and was left out of the squad entirely for a cup match again...