Duje Ćaleta-Car has signed for Southampton on a permanent transfer from Marseille. The transfer at the time of writing is pending a work permit and international clearance.
The Croatian has signed a four-year contract at St Mary’s Stadium. The fee involved in the transaction is reported to be £9.00 million by several sources.
The defender moved to the South Coast with 129 appearances for Marseille. Additionally the 25-year-old has made 311 club appearances throughout his career. Furthermore, he has represented the national team 23 times.
The Saints announced, ‘Southampton Football Club is delighted to announce it has completed the signing of Croatia international centre-back Duje Ćaleta-Car, pending a work permit and international clearance.
‘The 25-year-old has joined on a four-year contract from French side Marseille, completing his move shortly before the transfer deadline.’
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl said: “Duje is already a very established and experienced player, who has done an impressive job at his previous clubs.
“He is a big presence on the pitch and he will bring even more quality into our centre-back group. It is important we have good depth and options in this position, and he gives us another very strong one.”
Duje Ćaleta-Car said: “It was really a crazy day. I’m very excited because I spoke with the coach, I think he is a good coach and of course the team. I watched them against Chelsea and in the games before.
“I know the way they play, they have a lot of young players, so I think I can come good in the group and be with them every day, to progress with them together.”
