SAINTS have signed midfielder Dean Hammond, for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old has signed a three-year deal at St Mary's.

Hammond, who describes himself as an 'all-action midfielder', said: "This is a massive club with a Premiership set up and it represented an opportunity that I couldn't turn down, so I'm just very excited about the move," the 26 year-old said.

"The Club has got a massive ambition to get back to the top. We're in League One at the moment so obviously promotion is the aim, and I want to be a part of that.

"I've worked with Dean [Wilkins] before at Brighton when he was manager and I enjoyed it. I don't know if he was a factor in bringing me here, but I'm looking forward to working with him again. I've known him for a few years and when I worked with him before he improved me as a player so I think he will do that again.

"I also did my YTS at Brighton with Dan Harding, so I've known him for a few years and it will be nice to see him again.

"Alan Pardew is a top manger too," Hammond added. "He is a Premiership manager who has done it all before. I know a lot about him and I look forward to working with him."

"I like to get involved in the game and cover as many aspects of being a midfielder as I can. I like to get on the ball, I'm quite aggressive and I can score a goal or two, so I enjoy everything about playing there.

"I know that there are a lot of talented young players at Southampton and some experienced ones too. I've played for a couple of years in League One now and I've been in the Championship too so I know what the level is all about so I hope I can bring a bit more to the side.

"It's still the early stage of the season, obviously Colchester started well with a 7-1 win over Norwich and then got another win last weekend as well, but Southampton is a massive club and it's one which isn't renowned for being in League One. The infrastructure of the club shows that it shouldn't be at this level so it was an opportunity that I couldn't turn down.

"If you can get into a rhythm then you never know what can happen in this league. Leeds came close when they were deducted points, so you take each game at a time, but you've got to be ambitious too.

"I'm looking forward to starting my career at Southampton, and I hope that I provide some competition for places by doing my best for the club."

Alan Pardew added: ""Dean is a fantastic leader and tremendously energetic. He captained Colchester and will bring a lot of quality to the club that I think the fans will appreciate."