Southampton’s original signing Finn Azaz has now secured a major transfer.

Finn Azaz established himself as one of Southampton’s most influential attacking players last season, producing a string of impressive performances that made him a key figure in the club’s campaign. His ability to operate both as an attacking midfielder and on either wing gave the Saints a level of flexibility that proved invaluable throughout the season. With his creativity, composure, and eye for goal, Azaz quickly became one of the Championship’s most exciting talents and earned widespread praise for his contribution.

His performances have even prompted comparisons with one of Southampton’s finest creative players of the Premier League era, Dusan Tadic, whose intelligence and technical brilliance made him a fan favorite during his spell on the south coast. While they have played in different eras and under different circumstances, the similarities in their style and versatility have become increasingly difficult to ignore.

Wrexham AFC v Southampton – Sky Bet Championship | Matt Watson/GettyImages

Azaz Emerged as Southampton’s Main Creative Force

During his first season with Southampton, Azaz produced an outstanding return of 10 goals and seven assists across all competitions. His consistency in the final third played a major role in the club’s rise up the Championship standings, and his impact became even greater following the appointment of Tonda Eckert as head coach.

Whether deployed behind the striker as a number ten or drifting into wide positions, Azaz consistently found ways to influence matches. His movement between the lines, ability to unlock defenses, and willingness to take responsibility in big moments made him one of the team’s most dangerous attacking weapons.

His performances also attracted praise from BBC Sport journalist Alex Coomber, who described the Republic of Ireland international as “crucial” to Southampton’s successful run during the campaign. That recognition reflected what supporters witnessed throughout the season, with Azaz frequently producing decisive moments when his side needed them most.

Tonda Eckert Helped Unlock Another Level

Although Azaz had already shown flashes of his quality earlier in the season, many believe his game reached another level after Eckert assumed full managerial responsibilities.

The new tactical setup allowed the midfielder greater freedom to roam across the attacking third, enabling him to combine effectively with teammates while also becoming more involved around the penalty area. His increased confidence translated into improved numbers, and by the end of the campaign he had established himself as one of the Championship’s premier attacking midfielders.

His ability to create chances while also finishing opportunities himself gave Southampton an unpredictable attacking threat that opponents struggled to contain.

Dusan Tadic Set the Standard Years Earlier

Long before Azaz became Southampton’s creative leader, Dusan Tadic had established himself as one of the club’s greatest modern playmakers.

The Serbian international enjoyed an outstanding Premier League career with Southampton, where he regularly demonstrated exceptional vision, technical ability, and creativity. Comfortable operating as a winger on either flank or in a central attacking role, Tadic consistently produced moments of brilliance that delighted supporters.

Across 134 Premier League appearances for Southampton, he registered 20 goals and 29 assists, making him one of the club’s most productive attacking players during their successful years in England’s top flight.

His intelligence on the ball, precise passing, and ability to deliver decisive contributions made him an essential figure in Southampton’s attacking setup.

A Memorable 2015-16 Campaign

Among Tadic’s finest seasons at Southampton, the 2015-16 campaign stands out as his most influential.

He finished the league season with seven goals and 14 assists in just 34 Premier League appearances, helping Southampton secure an impressive sixth-place finish and qualification for European competition.

His performances throughout that season showcased every aspect of his game. He regularly created opportunities for teammates, scored important goals himself, and provided the creativity that allowed Southampton to compete with some of England’s biggest clubs.

Former Southampton manager Ronald Koeman frequently praised Tadic’s football intelligence, describing him as a clever player capable of changing games within seconds.

Positional Flexibility Defined Both Players

One of the strongest similarities between Tadic and Azaz is their versatility.

Tadic excelled on both wings while also performing effectively as an attacking midfielder whenever required. His ability to adapt to different tactical systems made him indispensable throughout his Southampton career.

Azaz has demonstrated many of those same qualities in the Championship. Whether starting centrally or from wide areas, he consistently drifts into dangerous positions, links play intelligently, and creates opportunities through both passing and individual skill.

That flexibility has become one of his greatest strengths and has allowed Southampton to adjust their attacking approach depending on the opposition.

Azaz Has Already Produced Moments of Magic

Like Tadic before him, Azaz possesses the ability to produce moments that completely change the direction of a match.

One of the finest examples came during Southampton’s FA Cup clash against Manchester City last season. In a tightly contested encounter with few clear opportunities, Azaz produced a superb curling finish that gave Southampton the lead and highlighted his outstanding technical ability.

It was exactly the type of individual brilliance supporters had come to expect from Tadic during his years at St Mary’s.

Those flashes of quality explain why many believe Azaz has the potential to enjoy a similarly memorable career if he continues his current development.

Tadic Continues to Defy Age

While Azaz’s career is only beginning to reach new heights, Tadic continues to prove that experience and quality remain invaluable even at 37 years of age.

Last season, the veteran enjoyed another highly productive campaign with Al Wahda FC in the United Arab Emirates, recording an impressive 24 goal contributions despite entering the latter stages of his playing career.

Before moving to the Middle East, he also enjoyed another excellent season with Fenerbahce, where he contributed 25 goals and assists in the Turkish Super Lig.

Those performances demonstrated that his creativity and technical excellence remain as effective as ever.

Another Major Move Awaits

Tadic has now secured another significant chapter in his remarkable career by completing a move to NEC Nijmegen.

The transfer sees him return to Dutch football, where he previously enjoyed enormous success with Ajax.

During his time in Amsterdam, he became one of the Eredivisie’s standout performers, winning three league titles while accumulating an extraordinary 259 combined goals and assists across all competitions.

His return to the Netherlands offers another opportunity to showcase his enduring quality and leadership while adding further achievements to an already exceptional career.

Azaz Hopes to Follow a Similar Path

As Tadic embarks on yet another challenge, Azaz will be hoping to write his own success story with Southampton.

The Irish playmaker’s immediate objective is helping the Saints secure promotion back to the Premier League, where he will have the opportunity to test himself against the highest level of competition.

If he continues to develop at his current rate, there is every reason to believe he can enjoy a career comparable to the one Tadic has built across Europe.

For Southampton supporters, the comparisons between the two players are easy to understand. Both possess exceptional technical ability, tactical intelligence, positional versatility, and the rare capacity to produce decisive moments when matches hang in the balance. While Tadic’s legacy at St Mary’s is already secure, Azaz now has the opportunity to create one of his own as he looks to lead Southampton back to the Premier League.