English striker Lewis Bailey, 17, has joined Southampton's academy from Stoke City and signed his first professional contract. Bailey, who will initially play for Andrew Surman's under-18s side, had been a goalscorer for Stoke's U18s and made his U21s debut, playing three times in Premier League 2 this season. Andy Goldie, Southampton's director of group talent strategy, stated that Bailey has a profile the club wanted to add to its academy pathway, noting his physical stature and athleticism as strong foundations. Goldie added that the player's development over the past two years has been impressive and the club anticipates building on that progress.