Andrew Surman

Early career

Surman was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, where his parents had moved to from Britain, whilst his father worked for an insurance company. His parents returned to the city of Southampton in 1995, and he joined Tyro League club Hedge End Rangers, where he was spotted by Southampton club scouts and invited to join the Saints academy. He attended St. Mary's College in Bitterne.

Southampton

Surman was the youngest player ever to play for the Saints Reserves until Theo Walcott took his record. He scored on his league debut when on loan to Walsall during the 2004–05 season, and, when he rejoined the Saints at the beginning of the 2005–06 season, he performed well on their pre-season tour of Scotland. He then enjoyed a successful loan spell with AFC Bournemouth between August 2005 and January 2006, playing in every league match for the team, and scoring six goals. He might have figured in Southampton's FA Cup tie against Milton Keynes Dons, but was cup-tied, having played earlier in the season for Bournemouth against Tamworth. Surman made his full team debut for Southampton on 25 January 2006 under new manager George Burley at home to Crystal Palace, and in the next league match scored his first Southampton goal in a 2–1 defeat against Plymouth Argyle. On 17 February 2007, he scored a hat-trick (two strikes from outside the penalty box and a penalty) in the 5–2 victory over Barnsley. He became a vital part of the Southampton first team over the…

Although qualified to play for South Africa, he was selected for the England under-21 national team for the European Championship qualifiers away to Montenegro on 7 September and Bulgaria on 11 September. In the match against Montenegro, he came on as a second-half substitute and scored the final goal in a 3–0 victory, tapping the ball home in stoppage time from a knock-down by former Saints' trainee Dexter Blackstock. In September 2012, Surman said that he had been "approached" to see if he was interested to play for South Africa. Though he declined, he said it was a "great honour to be approached". He went on to say that he has put any international ambitions "on the back burner" as he needs to concentrate fully on club matters and his family. He explained that "it would be a lot, especially with the African Nations Cup, to be travelling around the world". In July 2017, he told the Daily Echo: "I have never ruled out playing for South Africa but my priority has always been my club football. The past two or three years have been hugely important for me. If I had gone to play international football things might not have worked out the same way. I was really honoured to be called up and it certainly was not something I turned up my nose at. I really, seriously, considered it. But I have a young family and international football is a big commitment."

In January 2023, Surman returned to Bournemouth as the under-18s assistant coach. On 5 February 2024, he joined Southampton as the under-18s assistant coach as part of several academy changes at the club. On 30 June 2025, Surman was promoted to head coach of the under-18s.

In April 2015, Surman's wife gave birth to the couple's third child.