Everything you need to know about the first new Saints signing of the Ralph Hasenhüttl era.
The 20-year-old’s switch to St Mary’s and the Premier League represents the latest step in a meteoric rise to prominence for the winger for whom an agreement has been reached with Standard Liege on the back of a breakout season.
His pace, work ethic, dribbling ability and intelligence off the ball make him a dangerous proposition in transition and on the counter, featuring from both flanks and through the middle in Liege’s three-man attack.
Signed from Yeelen Olympique his native Mali two years ago, Djenepo hit his stride in his second campaign in the Belgian Pro League scoring seven goals while providing three assists in 25 league appearances to help the club secure a third-place finish and qualify for the Europa League.
And, it was in that competition this season that the youngster demonstrated his natural talents to the wider footballing world.
The Malian international netted three times in five games in the group stages, including a decisive winner against five-time winners Sevilla on their way to 10 points, a tally that would have earned qualification from all but two of the competition’s 12 groups.
Saints fans will be able to get their first glimpse of his talents at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt as a burgeoning international career begins to take shape.
Making his debut in a World Cup qualifying draw against Ivory Coast in October 2017 as an 18-year-old, Djenepo has gone on to collect eight Mali caps and one goal against South Sudan in March of this year.
Djenepo has made eight appearances for Mali and scored his first international goal in March in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan.
Pacey, precociously talented and with a point to prove, the young forward arrives on the south coast with all the necessary attributes to hurt Premier League defences up and down the country.
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