As far as English academies are concerned, there have been none more productive than Southampton's in recent years.

The likes of Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gareth Bale (via Tottenham Hotspur) have all fetched big sums of money, while Harrison Reed, Jake Hesketh and Matt Targett have been a part of Ronald Koeman's plans this season.

However, few Southampton graduates have held as much intrigue as Theo Walcott, who became the youngest player to have ever represented the Saints when he came off the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers aged 16 years 143 days.

His rapid development was such that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, famed for nurturing youth talent, was convinced to part with up to £12m of the North London outfit's coffers to sign the attacker nine years ago today.

The Gunners would pay an initial £5m for Walcott, who had only made a total of 23 senior appearances for Southampton. The clauses in the deal, though, meant that the fee could rise by a further £7m over time.

Speaking about his new addition, Wenger said: "Theo Walcott is a very young player, but has already shown in his performances for Southampton that he is a talented player with huge potential.

"I also like the fact that he is a versatile player who is incredibly dedicated, shows great determination to succeed and is blessed with electric pace.

"There is always a gamble when you take young players, but I was ready to take that gamble."

Meanwhile, Walcott, still aged 16, added: "I am so pleased to be joining Arsenal - a club I have admired for a long time.

"Coming to Arsenal will give me the opportunity to work with world-class players every day and play football at the highest possible level."

However, Southampton were not happy to have lost the services of a youngster that they had worked hard to evolve since the year 2000.

"We are bitterly disappointed. The purpose of developing the best academy in the country is not to sell scholars to larger clubs," chairman Rupert Lowe told the club's official website.

"We have done everything to keep Theo at Southampton, but his family and advisors are determined that he leave this club and go to Arsenal."

Walcott, now 25, is still with Arsenal, for whom he has made 283 appearances and scored 69 goals in all competitions.