Southampton have completed the œ2 million signing of Hearts Finnnish international keeper Antti Niemi.
After passing a medical, Niemi is expected to be eligible for the upcoming Premiership fixture with Chelsea.
Saints boss Gordon Strachan believes the signing of the 30-year-old will increase competition for places at the club.
“He is the right age and price and has a good character and he will increase competition in that area,” Strachan told the official Southampton website.
“That has worked well for us in the past.
“Brett Ormerod camein and James Beattie and Marian Pahars both went on a scoring run, Fabrice Fernandes came in and Chris Marsden ended up Player of the Year.”
