FLYNN DOWNES appeared to break Southampton fans' hearts and ended up being hilariously BOOED at the club’s promotion party.
The 25-year-old West Ham midfielder has spent the season on loan in the Championship with the South Coast club.
And he ended his stint there by helping the Saints beat Leeds United 1-0 at Wembley in the play-off final.
Adam Armstrong’s match winning strike secured an instant return to the Premier League for Southampton plus at least a £120million cash bonanza.
Downes, who moved to West Ham from Swansea in 2022, has become a huge favourite with the Southampton faithful after his displays this term.
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He played 37 times in all competitions, scoring two goals and producing three assists.
And it was clear at the Southampton promotion party that everyone connected with the Saints wants the Essex-born ace to stay.
It is believed that West Ham would demand around £12m for Downes - but it looks like he has dashed any hopes of a permanent switch.
West Ham posted a congratulatory message to him on social media in the aftermath of the Wembley triumph to which he replied with three heart emojis and one word: “IRONSSSSSSSS.”
He then moved it up a notch on-stage at the Southampton promotion party.
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While he was taking his bow in front of the celebrating supporters, and being sprayed with champagne on stage by his team-mates, a chant of “sign him up” was started.
Downes was then asked by the host: “How does that sound?”
To which he replied with an f bomb first before saying: “I love it, I love it.
“There’s not too much I can say as I’ll get too much stick but I’ll see what happens…”
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That led to a cheer, before the star said: “I can’t say too much… Irons!”
Fans instantly started jeering at the mention of his parent club’s nickname as he produced a cheeky smile on stage.
“I’m only joking,” claimed the cheeky Downes as the host moved things on quickly.
The ace came through the ranks at Ipswich Town and went on to help Luton get promoted from League Two during a loan spell.
He returned to Portman Road and became a regular, making almost 100 league appearances before Swansea City made a £1.5m swoop.
However, he was only in South Wales for one season before he secured his dream move.
The Hammers fan joined West Ham on a five-year contract for a figure believed to be £11m and he went on to help them lift the Europa Conference League last season.
However, following the arrival of James Ward-Prowse last summer, he opted to head out in search of more regular football and has since became a fan fave at Saints.
