Southampton's new signing Charlie Austin says it's great to be reunited with Theo Walcott in the Premier League - 17 years after they formed a lethal partnership for Newbury District Under 10s.

Austin and Walcott, both 26, grew up near each other in Berkshire, the former in Hungerford and the latter in the small village of Compton, and played together up front as schoolboys.

The Saints splashed out £4million to bring the QPR striker to the south coast and Austin has reached the top the hard way, only leaving Poole Town seven years ago.

Charlie Austin could make his Southampton debut at Old Trafford after completing his £4m move from QPR

The striker formed a lethal partnership with Arsenal striker Theo Walcott for Newbury District Under 10s

CHARLIE AUSTIN VS THEO WALCOTT - CAREER STATS Advertisement

His former team-mate Walcott however was picked up by Southampton as an 11-year-old and then left for Arsenal at the age of 16. He marked 10 years with the club on Wednesday.

'Theo was 'boomph', straight there! Sixteen and off to Arsenal! It was mad,' recalls Austin, who has also played for Burnley, Swindon and Kintbury Rangers. 'I went my way, but would I change that? No chance. Theo and I played against each other for our schools and then after year 9, he wasn't allowed to play schools' football.

'Southampton must have kiboshed it! I also played cricket against him. Then he stopped doing that too.

'I was happy for him. I didn't think I was going to get there. When I was younger I would say to people 'I played with him, that Theo Walcott'.

'Then we linked up when I played for QPR against Arsenal in the Premier League. It was great that we were reunited. Growing up seeing him do so well has been a great pleasure.'

Walcott joined Southampton as an 11-year-old before leaving for Arsenal at the age of 16 in 2006

Austin made it to the Premier League the hard way - playing for the likes of Poole Town in non-league

Austin has shrugged off a hamstring injury and will be in the Southampton squad for their game against Manchester United on Saturday.

Manager Ronald Koeman has backed Austin to recapture the form he showed with Rangers in the top flight and possibly regain his place in the England squad.

'He's very hungry, he wants to play at the highest level,' added Koeman. 'He wants to develop, he's still only 26, and he'd like to get back in the national team.

'People come to Southampton knowing they can get involved in national teams - Jose Fonte and Graziano Pelle got in theirs aged 29.

'It's interesting for players to come to Southampton, they know they will improve and develop.

'We signed him because he has played and scored in the Premier League. He's at a fantastic age to make a new start and he gives us competition at the front of our team.'