SAINTS have signed Oldham midfielder Dale Stephens on loan for the rest of the season.

The 21-year-old has made the move from Boundary Park today, ahead of the emergency window closing.

Highly-rated Stephens is the Latics’ top scorer, with 10 goals in all competitions.

According to Oldham, Saints had enquired about the player earlier in the week, but had their advances rejected by the club and Stephens himself.

However, they then made a new approach, which was accepted.

A statement on Oldham's website said: "The 21-year-old midfield player was the subject of an enquiry earlier this week by Saints, which was rejected by Latics.

"Stephens initially turned down the chance to leave, saying he wanted to stay at Boundary Park.

"Saints came back with another financial offer and this time Stephens and his agent expressed a wish to talk to the South Coast club.

"Paul Dickov is disappointed to lose Stephens who only made his first-team debut 15 months ago. Since then he has become an integral part of the team."

Latics manager Dickov himself added: "When Southampton came in we turned down their offer and Dale told us he wanted to stay.

"But after speaking to his agent, he came back and expressed a wish to speak to them."

Stephens actually signed a new three-year contract with Oldham in August last year.

But the League One side are currently facing some serious financial difficulties.

Chairman Simon Corney admitted earlier this month that the club had “run out of funds” while the players’ most recent wages were paid late.

And Oldham are not even sure where they will be playing their football next season, as they look at alternatives to the ageing Boundary Park.

With the team currently 15th in the table, the club are reluctantly willing to offload Stephens.

Stephens, who was born in Bolton, started his career as a trainee at Bury.

He was signed by Oldham in the summer of 2008 and, after a loan spell at Rochdale, he established himself in the Latics side last season.

Since then he has gone from strength to strength and is now one of their most influential players.