Southampton sign defender Wood from Swansea

Southampton person signed centre-back Nathan Wood for a reported £3m, external from Swansea City connected a four-year deal.

The 22-year-old made 72 appearances successful each competitions crossed his 2 seasons pinch nan Swans, scoring 1 goal.

Saints leader Russell Martin antecedently signed nan England Under-21 world successful 2022 from Middlesbrough erstwhile he was complaint of Swansea.

"It's ever been an charismatic club," said Wood. "Obviously nan style of shot is simply a large thing, nan coaching is simply a large thing, and it's a measurement up successful leagues for maine arsenic well.

"It's a no-brainer really erstwhile you put each those things together. It's rather an easy determination to make."

Southampton grounded pinch 2 bids worthy astir £10m for Wood past summer, but aft starring his broadside into nan Premier League, Martin will reunite pinch nan player.

Wood becomes nan 2nd centre-back to motion for Saints this week aft Ronnie Edwards joined from Peterborough United connected Wednesday.

His statement pinch Swansea was owed to expire this summer, but nan Welsh nine triggered a one-year hold action successful his deal.

Swansea person expected liking successful Wood for immoderate time, pinch caput coach Luke Williams admitting nan player's statement business weakened nan club's manus erstwhile it came to keeping clasp of him.

"Nathan is simply a subordinate I cognize and spot from our clip together astatine Swansea, and personification I besides tried to motion successful my first occupation astatine MK Dons," added Martin.

"He's a apical defender pinch tremendous beingness qualities, awesome gait and calmness connected nan ball.

"He's quiet to beryllium himself successful nan Premier League, and we want to thief him execute that."

Earlier successful nan window, Adam Lallana and Charlie Taylor joined Southampton connected free transfers from Brighton and Burnley respectively, while Taylor Harwood-Bellis' indebtedness from Manchester City became imperishable aft promotion.