SAINTS have completed the signing of Brazilian defender Lyanco.

The 24-year-old arrives from Serie A outfit Torino, signing a four-year deal at St Mary's, for a reported fee of around £6.4million.

He becomes the second new addition of the week, following in the footsteps of teenage left-back Thierry Small.

Saints have been on the lookout for a new centre-back since selling Jannik Vestergaard to Leicester City earlier this summer.

And they have now found their man, with Lyanco set to challenge Jack Stephens, Mohammed Salisu and Jan Bednarek for a starting berth.

Vitoria-born Lyanco began his career in the youth ranks of Botafogo and Sao Paulo in his native Brazil.

He made his senior Sao Paulo debut in 2015, aged 18, staying there until Torino came calling two years later.

Lyanco spent time on loan at Bologna, before becoming a key figure in Torino's defence last season.

He made 23 appearances in Italy's top flight last season, as Torino finished 17th, just staving off relegation.

Internationally, Lyanco is dual-nationality and represented Serbia at under-19 level, before going on to play for Brazil's under-20s and under-23s.

During his time in Italy, Lyanco made 66 appearances, scoring two goals.