Damion Downs Joins St. Louis City on One-Year Loan

Damion Downs has joined St. Louis City from Southampton on a one-year loan.

Update (2 September 2026): The move is complete. Downs will spend one year with St. Louis City, giving the forward the chance to rebuild his form in MLS while remaining a Southampton player. ESPN reported the move from a source with direct knowledge, while identifying The Athletic as the first outlet to report it.

The Confirmed Move

The Daily Echo reported on 31 August that St. Louis City was the apparent destination for the 22-year-old forward. ESPN subsequently reported that a source with direct knowledge had confirmed the move and that The Athletic was first with the news.

The loan runs for one year, through the 2027 MLS season. Downs remains contracted to Southampton beyond the temporary move.

The proposed move would give Downs a chance to rebuild his momentum in MLS after an unsuccessful loan spell with Hamburg during the second half of last season. Southampton signed him from FC Köln in 2025 after he had impressed in Germany’s second tier.

Why the Move Makes Sense

Downs had not been included in any of Southampton’s first five matchday squads this season despite featuring during pre-season. Regular football in the United States gives him an opportunity to reset after his difficult spell with Hamburg during the second half of last season.

For Saints, the move reduces the number of forwards competing for minutes while keeping Downs’ long-term position open. There is no permanent transfer or option-to-buy detail to record in the confirmed tracker.

Reliability note: Tier 1 - Confirmed - ESPN reported confirmation from a source with direct knowledge, with The Athletic identified as the first report. The one-year loan is now treated as complete.