Southampton sign Celtic keeper Forster

adamhigginsuk
Aug 10, 2014
3 min read

Record breaker: Forster set the SPL record of 1,256 minutes without conceding a goal back in February (Picture from SNS Group)

SOUTHAMPTON have confirmed the signing of England goalkeeper Fraser Forster from Celtic.

The 26-year-old has joined the Premier League club on a four-year deal for a fee believed to be in the region of £10 million.

He spent four hugely successful years at Celtic Park, winning three SPL titles and two Scottish Cups while helping the club reach the Champions League last 16 in 2012/13.

"I've had a fantastic time at Celtic and I've loved every minute. It's a very special club and I’m proud to have played for them, but I felt now is the time for something new, a new challenge and to play in the Premier League," Forster told Southampton's website.

"To be at a club like Southampton is something special, and something I’m really looking forward to being a part of."

Roy Hodgson handed Forster his England debut last November in a friendly against Chile and included him in the World Cup squad although the 6ft 7in stopper did not feature in Brazil.

Forster's arrival provides competition for Kelvin Davis and first-choice stopper Artur Boruc, who also played for Celtic and is out of contract next summer.

It is the latest piece of transfer business in a busy summer for the Saints, who have allowed the likes of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers to depart and have now made their fifth signing.

Saints boss Ronald Koeman was thrilled with the move, telling the club website: "Fraser is a very talented player and we are delighted to be able to bring him to Southampton. This is another important part of our rebuilding process ahead of the start of the season.

"Fraser is the perfect fit to help complement the players we already have, and he will add a lot of quality to the squad.

"He is an exciting English player with a very good reputation within the game and, at 26, he will enjoy the best years of his career at Southampton."

FORSTER CLEAN SHEET RECORD:

(Games in all competitions)

2010-11: 24 clean sheets in 44 appearances

2011-12: 26 clean sheets in 47 appearances

2012-13: 23 clean sheets in 51 appearances

2013-14: 27 clean sheets in 51 appearances

2014-15: 2 clean sheets in 4 appearances

Forster began his career at Newcastle United but spent most of his time out on loan in the Football League before joining Celtic, initially on loan, in 2010.

The Magpies are now owed 25% of the transfer fee after selling the Northumberland-born stopper to the Glasgow side in July 2012 for £2 million.

Last season, Forster was in imperious form and set a Scottish top-flight record for consecutive league clean sheets with 13 in a row last season.

His final appearance in a Hoops shirt came in Tuesday's third qualifying round second leg against Legia Warsaw at Murrayfield.

Although Celtic lost 6-1 on aggregate, they were reinstated to the competition after Legia were punished for fielding an ineligible player.

Meanwhile, Forster could make his Saints debut in their first Premier League game of the new season against Liverpool at Anfield on 17 August.

FEATURE: Does Fraser Forster deserve England chance?

SOUTHAMPTON SUMMER SIGNINGS:

Ryan Bertrand (from Chelsea, season-long loan)

Dusan Tadic (from FC Twente, £10.9 million)

Saphir Taider (from Inter Milan, season-long loan)

Granziano Pelle (from Feyenoord, undisclosed fee)

Fraser Forster (from Celtic, £10 million)