Tuesday 2 August 2016 08:57, UK
Southampton have signed goalkeeper Alex McCarthy from Crystal Palace.
Sky Sports News HQ understand the clubs have agreed a fee of around £4m, plus bonuses. The deal was concluded after he passed his medical on Monday.
The south coast club wanted to sign a new back-up goalkeeper to Fraser Forster, after Kelvin Davis retired and on-loan Maarten Stekelenburg returned to Fulham before his sale to Everton.
He becomes Southampton's third signing of the summer.
McCarthy, 26, said: "I'm over the moon to join a club like this. The club is known for producing young players and they've had successful seasons.
"There's the Europa League to look forward to this season, so there's going to be a lot of games. With the stature of the club, I'm honoured to be here and I'm looking forward to getting working with everyone."
McCarthy only signed for Crystal Palace last summer from QPR, where he had spent a season as deputy to Rob Green following a transfer from Reading.
But the Eagles brought in Steven Mandanda - the France No 2 - from Marseille last month, providing competition for Wayne Hennessey and Julian Speroni.
Executive director of football Les Reed added: "I am delighted to welcome another player to the squad at Southampton.
"We now have two quality English goalkeepers who have both represented the country at International level.
"I am confident that Fraser will soon be England's number one, and in Alex we have a young player who has already had a taste of the England senior squad, as well as excellent experience at U21 level.
"Alex is ambitious and will be pushing for a starting place every time he gets the opportunity, which can only be good for Fraser and a shining example for Harry Lewis and the younger keepers below.
"Working with Dave Watson, our keepers can only get better and, who knows, we could have two Saints stoppers at the World Cup in two years' time."
McCarthy only played seven Premier League games for Palace last season after joining for £3.5m.
He had been at six different clubs on loan during his time at Reading, including Cambridge, Aldershot, Yeovil, Brentford, Leeds and Ipswich.
