Southampton seal Niemi deal

English Premiership side Southampton FC today completed the €3.12m signing of Finnish international goalkeeper Antti Niemi from Scottish Premier League club Heart of Midlothian FC.

Medical passed
The 30-year-old former Rangers FC goalkeeper has agreed terms and passed a medical with the Saints, who are now rushing through his registration in time for tomorrow's game against Chelsea FC.

Lowe delighted
Niemi will compete for a starting place with Wales keeper Paul Jones and club chairman Rupert Lowe is delighted to have increased competition in the squad. "I am delighted it is all sorted out," Lowe said on Southampton's official website. "He is a quality goalkeeper who will certainly give us increased competition in that area. He is the right age and the right price and he speaks perfect English."

'Tremendous addition'
"He is the Finnish No1 and his quality can be seen by the fact he keeps Peter Enckelman out of the national side," Lowe continued. "And he played an absolute blinder to keep out Germany so that England qualified for the [FIFA] World Cup. We are confident he will be a tremendous addition to our squad and the fans will love him although it will be up to [manager] Gordon Strachan whether he plays tomorrow night."