SAINTS have signed centre-back Wesley Hoedt from Lazio for a fee believed to be around £15m.

The Netherlands international has penned a five-year contract at St Mary’s and follows Mario Lemina and Jan Bednarek as the club’s third summer signing.

The deal for the 23-year-old, who has been capped four times, takes Saints’ spending this close season to nearly £40m.

Hoedt, who will wear the number six shirt, is the club’s second centre-back newbie alongside Poland Under-21 international Bednarek.

His arrival will not have any bearing on the future of wantaway man Virgil van Dijk, who the club have reiterated is not for sale this transfer window.

Vice chairman of football Les Reed hopes to see Hoedt develop further “alongside his international teammate Van Dijk”.

Starting his career at AZ Alkmaar, Hoedt switched to Lazio in 2015 on a free transfer.

The 6ft4inch defender has risen in prominence at the Stadio Olimpico and has established himself as one of the top young talents on the continent.

He made his senior international debut earlier this year and has since become a regular fixture in the Netherlands squad.

Reed said: "Wesley is one of the most promising young defenders in Europe and represents a significant addition to our squad. Having procured a Champions League finalist from one Italian club we have now added an Italian Supercoppa winner from another.

"We believe he has all the qualities to play a big part in our future, and we have worked hard to bring him to Southampton, with a number of other high-profile clubs interested in him.

"Finding a top quality central defender is difficult in the current environment and now we have six internationals in this position, both young and experienced.

"Finding a naturally left-footed player is even more difficult. We have been tracking central defenders on our target list for the past 12 months and Wesley has always been at the top of that list, so it was important to act when the opportunity came.

"Wesley has proven his talent through his performances for Lazio, as well as the Netherlands, and we believe he can develop even further here at Southampton, alongside his international teammate Virgil van Dijk, as well as the likes of Jack Stephens, Maya Yoshida, Jan Bednarek and Florin Gardos.

"With Wesley joining those players, we believe we have the right amount of quality, depth and flexibility at centre-back to help us achieve our aims this season."

Wesley Hoedt commented: "I'm really happy to be here. I think Southampton is a really big club, so it's a good next step for me to come here and to play in the Premier League and try to help the best I can."