Caulker Makes Saints Switch
Southampton’s official club website have confirmed the signing of defender Steven Caulker on loan for the 2015/16 season.
The England international has arrived from Queens Park Rangers after just one season at Loftus Road, and the 23-year-old will wear the number 26 shirt for his new club.
After suffering back to back relegations with Cardiff City and QPR in the last two seasons, Caulker believes he can improve and move forward with his career. He told the official club website: “I’m very pleased and very excited. This club has done fantastically well, especially over the last two years.
“To now join this club and to be a part of it for this year is something I’ve proud of.
“As soon as I got the phone call to say a fee was agreed with Southampton, I was delighted to get the opportunity to come and play under a great manager.
“This club is an ambitious one, so to be part of this is a great opportunity – it’s a chance for me to prove myself. I’m very excited for the season ahead.”
Saints manager Ronald Koeman has been in the market for a centre-back after Toby Alderweireld opted to sign for Tottenham Hotspur, Florin Gardos suffered a serious knee injury, and any interest in resigning Calum Chambers on loan was recently dismissed by Arsene Wenger, reports John Cross of the Mirror.
Les Reed, Executive Director of Football at Southampton also said: “We have tracked Steven for a number of years, and so we are very happy to have finally brought him to the club.
“Although still young, he has played several seasons in the top flight, as well as representing England at senior level and featuring for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympic Games.
“Steven will offer us an excellent defensive option – especially with Florin Gardos ruled out after his knee operation.
“He is a player with a good blend of both experience and potential who is determined to grow, to develop and to prove himself during his time with the club.”