Southampton announced the signing of Queens Park Rangers defender Steven Caulker to a season-long loan deal. Saints expressed the need to sign a defender following the departure of Toby Alderweireld to Spurs and a serious knee injury to Florin Gardos last week.
“We have tracked Steven for a number of years, and so we are very happy to have finally brought him to the club," Executive Director of Football Les Reed said. "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."
The 23-year-old centre-half has played the last two seasons in the Premier League with Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers, both of whom were relegated in successive seasons. Last season, Caulker made 36 appearances in all competitions for QPR, scoring one goal.
“I’m very pleased and very excited," Caulker told the club website. "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.”
