July 19 2012

Nathaniel Clyne

Crystal Palace defender NATHANIEL CLYNE has signed for Premier League new boys Southampton.

Free agent CLYNE has been courted by a number of clubs all summer but opted for a move to the south coast where he signs a four-year contract.

Palace are entitled to compensation due to CLYNE's age but will try to thrash out a transfer fee rather than risk a tribunal's decision.

"I'm overwhelmed, really," CLYNE said. "As soon as I heard that Southampton were in for me, I was happy and I knew that this was the place where I could try to improve my football, further my career and get a chance to play in the Premier League.

"It's a club with a lot of ambition - the gaffer told me that they would want to be pushing for European football.

"We've got good players here - a young bunch of good, talented players who are destined for the top, so I don't see why we can't do it."

CLYNE came up from the Eagles academy and made 137 appearances, scoring one goal.