England Under-21 captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis has completed a loan move to Southampton.

The Manchester City academy graduate made eight appearances in cup competitions under Pep Guardiola but has largely spent the last two years out on loan.

There is an obligation to buy clause, worth around £20million, in the loan if Saints win promotion back to the Premier League following relegation in May.

‘The willingness from their side to get me in the door and when I spoke to the manager and Jason [Wilcox] I think it was straight after then that I knew.

England’s U21s-winning captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis (middle) has moved to Southampton

 ‘I felt the warmth of the manager and he explained to me exactly what he wants to do and the ambitions of the club that suited exactly where I am in my career and where I want to be going forward, and I can hopefully do it under the manager here.’

The defender, who was wanted by Nottingham Forest and Fulham, added: ‘I want to win, I obviously had a taste of that this summer, but my aspiration is to become a better footballer as well, and I feel like I can do that along the way and learn different styles and different ways to play football and I feel like the manager, the staff and the team here can help me do that.’

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Harwood-Bellis was due to be out of contract at the Etihad Stadium next summer but has extended his contract by 12 months, which offers City flexibility on a transfer fee if Southampton don’t go up.

Southampton have a £20million obligation to buy the defender at the end of his loan move

Nottingham Forest and Fulham had been keen on the 21-year-old after his performances for Burnley as they won the Championship title last year.

Director of Football Jason Wilcox added: ‘Taylor arrives with experience beyond his years, including a vast amount of games at Championship level which includes lifting the title last season.

‘He’s someone who can help us immediately but also has huge potential to continue developing.

‘Taylor’s attributes make him a perfect fit for our system and how we want to play, and I have no doubt he’ll prove to be a valuable addition.’