Southampton strengthen defence with £15m Hoedt from Lazio

Southampton have completed the signing of Wesley Hoedt from Lazio for a fee believed to be in the region of £15million.

Centre-back Hoedt arrives as additional cover for his fellow Netherlands international Virgil van Dijk, who remains absent from the Saints’ first-team picture after stating his desire to leave.

Hoedt has agreed a five-year deal at St Mary’s Stadium, and becomes the club’s third arrival of the transfer window following the captures of Jan Bednarek and Mario Lemina.

The 23-year-old moved from AZ to Lazio in 2015 before establishing himself in the Italian capital and making his international debut earlier this year against Bulgaria.

Welcome, #SaintWesley !   pic.twitter.com/GWEzD5Lx70

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 22, 2017

“Wesley is one of the most promising young defenders in Europe and represents a significant addition to our squad,” said Southampton’s vice chairman of football Les Reed. 

“Having procured a Champions League finalist [Lemina] 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.

“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 team-mate Virgil van Dijk, as well as the likes of Jack Stephens, Maya Yoshida, Jan Bednarek and Florin Gardos.”

Hoedt added: “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.”