Saints swoop for Prutton

Southampton FC have signed England Under-21 international midfield player David Prutton for €3.8m from Nottingham Forest FC.

Deal signed
The English Premiership side's bid was initially rejected by first division Forest a fortnight ago, but was then accepted late on Thursday night. Prutton has agreed personal terms and passed a medical on Friday morning before signing a four-and-a-half-year deal. The 21-year-old Prutton will not be eligible for Saturday's home game against Manchester United FC.

'We are delighted'
Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe told the club's official website: "We are delighted to have got him. He is a really good player and all the training staff were very keen to sign him. This is the big one we wanted.

'Sound investment'
"But we were not prepared to pay over the odds so it was a question of holding our nerve and making sure we got the best possible deal for this club. We are confident he will prove a sound investment for the future and give our squad a boost for the final third of the season."

Higginbotham rumours
Southampton are also strongly rumoured to be on the verge of signing Derby County FC defender Danny Higginbotham.