Rory Delap today flew out to Spain to link up with his new Southampton team-mates vowing to repay the huge price tag on his head.

Saints have smashed their club transfer record to land the Derby utility player who completed his £4 million move late last night.

He put pen to paper on a five-year-deal and then headed straight for Gatwick to join the pre-season training camp at La Manga.

It doubles the £2 million outlay for David Hirst four years ago but Delap insisted: "It is a nice tag to have.

"I don't think it will prey on my mind. I know it is a lot of money for Southampton to spend but that is the going rate these days.

"But clearly Stuart Gray has stuck his neck out to get me. He has taken a chance on me and I hope I can repay him.

"I am delighted it has all been sorted out. It is a big move for me so I needed time to think it over and to talk it through with Jim Smith and with my family.

"But I am convinced it is the right decision otherwise I would not have signed. Southampton had a good season last time round and hopefully we can build on that.

"These are exciting times for the club with a new stadium. I believe it is very similar in design to Derby's so I should feel at home straight away!"

Delap spent the weekend mulling over the move before giving his agreement yesterday morning. He then travelled down for a medical, completed the formalities and signed after getting the all-clear from the scans.

He added: "We had to wait quite a while for the results. There was no problem but they just went over some old injuries to make sure everything was OK.

"I am looking forward to seeing their coach Mick Wadsworth who was my boss at Carlisle for two years and set me on the road.

"And it will be nice to meet the players. I hear they are a good bunch of lads and now I just can't wait to get going."