Charlie Austin signs for Southampton from Queens Park Rangers for £4.5million

Southampton have completed the signing of Charlie Austin from Queens Park Rangers after agreeing a fee of £4.5million for the striker.

Saints confirmed on Saturday that Austin has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal after he agreed personal terms and passed a medical.

The 26-year-old said: 'As soon as Southampton showed an interest that was the one club I wanted to go to.'

'I'm delighted to have got it over the line so soon into January. I can't wait to get started now.

'You see the progression from when I was playing against Southampton for Swindon. For me, it was important to come to a club that's on the up and that's what I've got here.'

It is understood that the 26-year-old was going to wait until his contract at Loftus Road had expired in the summer but the lure of playing Premier League football before then was enough to convince him to join early.

Austin had been in fine form for the Championship club this season. Despite suffering from injury over Christmas, he has found the net 10 times in 16 games. 

QPR, who sit 17th in the Championship, felt the need to offload Austin while they could still sell him for a fee. They wanted £15m for Austin last summer but have been willing to accept offers around £5million in January with his value diminishing. 

The striker had attracted interest from Leicester City, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, West Ham and Sunderland.

Austin will be a welcome addition to Ronald Koeman's side as the Saints have had to endure a torrid time with injuries to their attack this season.