Chris Baird wants to help Fulham avoid another season of struggle after arriving at Craven Cottage from Saints.

The 25-year-old cost £3.025million and has signed a four-year deal, with Lawrie Sanchez pipping Sunderland to the full-back he coached at international level.

Baird joins Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis and Diomansy Kamara as the new arrivals at the club since Sanchez took over towards the end of the last campaign when relegation from the Premier League remained a possibility.

"We don't want to be in the same position we were in last season - we want to be secure in the Premiership and hopefully we can finish much higher up next year," said Baird.

"I'm sure with the players we've got we can do that".

Baird, Hughes and Davis all played in the famous Northern Ireland win over England in 2005 and David Healy, who scored the winner in Belfast, has also been linked with Fulham.

"I am well aware of Chris' attributes as a player from my time with Northern Ireland and his qualities and versatility will be a major asset for the club next season," said Sanchez.

Baird was earmarked after consistent performances at Saints since George Burley took over just a few months after the full-back played in the win over England in Belfast.

Baird added: "It's been a long, hard wait but thankfully it's all done and dusted now and I'm a Fulham player.

"To play in the Premiership was one of the major reasons for me coming here.

"There are good quality players here and I'm just looking forward to the season. It's not the easiest start against Arsenal but I don't see why we can't get a result if we do things right in pre-season".

Baird will link up again at Craven Cottage with former Saints team-mate Antti Niemi.