Southampton have pulled off an ‘impressive signing’ in the shape of defender Duje Caleta-Car, according to journalist Dean Jones. The 25-year-old was brought in from Marseille on transfer deadline day, fending off competition from fellow Premier League outfit West Ham United in the process.
It was a hectic end to a busy summer for Southampton, who brought in Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Juan Larios and Sam Edozie alongside Caleta-Car on Thursday.
And manager Ralph Hasenhuttl appeared to be particularly pleased with the capture of the centre-back, who signed a four-year contract with the south coast club upon his arrival. “Duje is already a very established and experienced player, who has done an impressive job at his previous clubs,” said the Austrian tactician. “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.” Caleta-Car signed for an undisclosed fee after entering the final year of his £47,000-per-week contract with Marseille and will replace Jan Bednarek, who joined Aston Villa on a season-long loan deal.