Sharp leaves Saints on loan, Cropper comes in

Southampton striker Billy Sharp has joined npower Championship side Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan.

However, the Saints have signed young goalkeeper Cody Cropper after the American impressed during a trial.

Sharp, 26, only moved to St Mary’s from Doncaster in January but has moved down a division to join Forest in an attempt to secure more first-team football.

The former Sheffield United striker scored in Southampton’s Capital One Cup victory over Stevenage on Tuesday but has been allowed to leave the club.

The 19-year-old, who had spent two years with npower Championship side Ipswich, has been training with the Southampton youth team for two months.

The USA Under-20 international showed enough during his short time with the Saints to earn a two-year deal with the club.