Southampton have completed the signing of Argentine goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga from League Two outfit Gillingham for an undisclosed fee.
Argentine goalkeeper lured away from Gills
Southampton have completed the signing of Argentine goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga from League Two outfit Gillingham for an undisclosed fee.
The 20-year-old shot-stopper has penned a four-year contract with the Saints.
Gazzaniga has linked up with the Premier League new boys at their pre-season training base and is expected to be involved in a friendly date with Evian on Saturday.
As part of the deal to bring the South American to St Mary's, Tommy Forrest will spend the 2012/13 campaign on loan at Gillingham.
Saints boss Nigel Adkins had made the acquisition of a new keeper a top priority this summer, as he looks to generate added competition for places.
Gazzaniga, who only moved to Priestfield last summer after being released by Spanish giants Valencia, is delighted to have been identified as the man to join Southampton's top-flight plans.
Dream
"I am very happy because signing for a Premier League team is a dream," he told the club's
official website.
"It's mad because I only played a few matches last season - it's a crazy situation.
"The club has a lot of ambition, so I was eager to sign. I can't wait to get started."
Adkins added: "We have been looking for a young, hungry goalkeeper and Paulo fitted that mould.
"We are delighted that we have secured his services and that he has come out to Evian to join up with the group.
"He will be in an environment that we think will help him improve under the guidance of our goalkeeping coach, Jim Stannard, and Kelvin Davis, who has a lot of experience and I know that he will take him under his wing."
