Southampton defender Jan Bednarek has completed a move to Portuguese giants Porto, bringing an end to his seven-year stay at St Mary’s.
The 29-year-old joins the two-time Champions League winners on a deal worth around £6.5 million, with a four-year contract agreed.
🚨🐉 Jan Bednarek to FC Porto, here we go! Deal agreed for the defender to join on four year contract.
Transfer fee worth €7.5m, as O Jogo reports. Agreement done. pic.twitter.com/1mq6gfypIh
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2025
Saints Sanction Bednarek Departure to Porto
Journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that a deal had been reached between Southampton and Porto for the permanent transfer of Bednarek. The Poland international had been linked with a summer move after being left out of Will Still’s pre-season squad for their tour of Spain.
Bednarek joined the Saints in 2017 from Lech Poznan for a reported £5 million fee. Since then, he has made 254 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and registering six assists. He featured 30 times in the Premier League last season as Southampton made an immediate return to the top flight following their 2023 relegation.
Despite his consistent presence last term, Southampton have opted to cash in on the centre-back, who had one year remaining on his contract. The club will record a modest profit on the original transfer fee, while freeing up wages and a squad place as Still continues to shape the side in his image.
This marks Southampton’s third major outgoing of the window, with Kamaldeen Sulemana and Paul Onuachu also sold for a combined £24.5 million. Kyle Walker-Peters departed at the end of his contract, joining West Ham on a free transfer.
The club’s transfer focus has now shifted to rebuilding, with two signings already completed. Damion Downs, a young striker from FC Köln, and centre-back Joshua Quashie from Hoffenheim have joined the ranks as part of a youthful recruitment strategy.
Bednarek leaves as one of the longest-serving players at the club. He played under seven different managers during his time on the south coast and featured regularly throughout some of the Saints’ most turbulent Premier League years.
With the move to Porto now finalised, he becomes the second Polish international in recent years to move to the Estádio do Dragão, following in the footsteps of winger Kamil Grosicki.
Writer’s View
Jan Bednarek’s exit signals a changing of the guard at Southampton. He has been a dependable figure at the back for several years, but this summer always felt like the right time for both parties to move on. Will Still appears committed to lowering the average age of the squad, and freeing up Bednarek’s spot allows for a more agile and progressive rebuild.
Porto offers the defender a new challenge at a high level, with the chance to play in European competition. It is a sensible move on all fronts, and while Saints fans will appreciate Bednarek’s service, this departure feels like the natural next step in a wider transition.
