THE grandson of former Saints boss Harry Redknapp has signed for AFC Bournemouth.

Harry Redknapp, aged seven, has joined the club’s Academy under the watchful eye of Matty Holmes, who was handed his first pro contract by Redknapp senior in 1988.

Redknapp junior is the son of Mark Redknapp, who played locally for non-league clubs Bashley and Dorchester as a central defender, and the nephew of Jamie Redknapp, the former Cherries and Liverpool star.

Technical development officer Holmes has described Redknapp junior as “direct, strong and a good little goalscorer” and he will turn out for Cherries under-nines next season.

Holmes told the club website: “Harry was playing locally for Moordown so we had an eye on him. A few scout reports came back saying he was progressing very, very well, so we brought him into our Academy sessions around November last year.

“He has been playing with the top under-eights and has shown really good progression. He has improved his technical work and his receiving and passing skills have come on no end.

“So, with that in mind, and the fact that he comes from a footballing family background, we feel he has a great chance of progressing in our system and that is why we have offered him a contract.”

Mack Allen, the grandson of the late Alan Ball, who won the World Cup with England in 1966, is also on Cherries’ books as a goalkeeper.

“It is funny how it works,” added Holmes. “You get two or three relatives of famous footballers come in at the same time. They are always signed purely on what we see though.

“We won’t just sign them unless we see an actual talent there, otherwise it is a place that is taken up when another boy could be developing. They have to earn it and Harry and Mack have certainly done that.”