SAINTS defender Chris Baird today signed for Fulham for £3.025m.

Baird's move came almost a week after Sunderland had a £3m bid for the Northern Ireland international accepted.

George Burley revealed yesterday his frustrations that Baird had yet to make his mind up about a move to the Black Cats.

Baird, though, will be delighted to rejoin his former international manager Lawrie Sanchew, who had a £1m bid turned down by Saints last month which prompted last season's player of the year to hand in a shock transfer request.

Geographically, a move to Fulham will please him more than a switch to the north east as Baird's wife Sarah and family live in the Southampton area.

Family reasons are believed to be the reason behind his decision to stall Sunderland in the hope that Sanchez would return with a bid that met Saints' valuation.

Baird's switch to Craven Cottage means Saints have now banked around £8.5m from selling three defenders - Gareth Bale, Baird and Martin Cranie.

They received a £5m downpayment from Spurs for Bale, who could make his debut at St Patrick's tonight, and £400,000 from Pompey for Cranie.

Fulham's spending spree is now up to over £14m this month following the signings of Diomansy Kamara (£6m), Steven Hughes (£4m) and Aaron Hughes (£1m).

Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez told the club's official website, www.fulhamfc.com: "I'm delighted that Chris has chosen to join Fulham despite interest shown by other clubs.

"Winning the Southampton Player of the Season award last year is testament to his continued progress and development, which I have seen first hand at international level.

"Chris becomes my second defensive signing following the arrival of Aaron Hughes and both players provide some much needed strength to our defence ahead of the 2007/08 campaign".

Baird's move means Burley is now down to just five senior defenders - centre halves Claus Lundekvam, Pele and Darren Powell and full backs Alex Ostlund and Chris Makin.

Rudi Skacel can also play at left-back while Jermaine Wright was used at right back last season briefly.

Burley has also this week taken ex-Liverpool and Pompey left-back Gregory Vignal on trial.