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New Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Piotr Hawalej

Southampton swoop for Celtic shotstopper Forster

The Hoops have pocketed an undisclosed fee.

ENGLAND GOALKEEPER Fraser Forster has joined Southampton from Scottish champions Celtic for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old had been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League after making a name for himself at Parkhead and sealed a switch to St Mary’s on Saturday following a medical.

Forster has penned a four-year deal and will now challenge Artur Boruc, himself a former Celtic goalkeeper, Paulo Gazzaniga and Kelvin Davis for regular first-team football under Ronald Koeman.

“I really want to thank the club and the Celtic fans for all they have given me over the past four years. It has been a wonderful honour to play for one of the world’s great football clubs and I wish everyone at Celtic and the supporters every success for the future,” Forster told the Scottish champions’ official website.

“I know the club wanted me to stay, and I know the club has done everything they possibly can to keep me, but I felt now was the right time for a new challenge in the English Premier League.”

Forster came through the ranks at Newcastle United but gained experience during loan spells at Stockport County, Bristol Rovers, Norwich City and Celtic before joining the latter on a permanent basis in June 2012.

He won the Scottish Premiership three years in a row and the Scottish Cup twice, while also shining in the Champions League, with his performances paving the way for an international debut in November 2013.

Southampton boss Koeman, who has overseen a number of high-profile departures ahead of the new campaign, told his club’s official 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.

“The fact that he has worked with [goalkeeping coach] Dave Watson before means we already know all about his strengths and weaknesses, and I am confident that we will be able to help him improve even further.

“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.”

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14 Comments
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    Mute john stewart
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    Aug 10th 2014, 10:30 AM

    Best of luck Fraser, one of the better celtic goalkeepers.

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    Mute Kris Hetherington
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    Aug 10th 2014, 10:34 AM

    Another 10mil for the books. Let’s see how much is actually invested in the squad

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    Mute luke daly
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    Aug 10th 2014, 10:20 AM

    You think he would have waited to see if they made it to the champions league first but I suppose if he wants to be England number one it’s a good move.

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    Mute Spoddgy
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    Aug 10th 2014, 10:29 AM

    Probably not the best club to go to right now!

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    Mute john stewart
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    Aug 10th 2014, 10:33 AM

    He will be busy in goals at Southampton alright

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    Mute LL&P BAZINGA !
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    Aug 10th 2014, 10:54 AM

    Think your mixing him up with the other player at Southampton Mignolet

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    Mute luke daly
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    Aug 10th 2014, 11:01 AM

    And the prize for this week’s most stupid comment goes to……

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    Mute Kieran Flub Fanning
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    Aug 10th 2014, 11:13 AM

    Eh lads England’s goalkeeping coach works at Southampton so it is undoubtedly the best move for him

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    Mute Johnny Bravo
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    Aug 10th 2014, 11:26 AM

    Luke don’t be getting upset now cause the award been taken off you , you’ve been a constant winner I know but you must let it go this time

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    Mute luke daly
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    Aug 10th 2014, 12:33 PM

    Well judging by Bazinga’ form recently my reign could be coming to an end.

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    Mute LL&P BAZINGA !
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    Aug 10th 2014, 1:22 PM

    I’d doubt that somehow

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    Mute luke daly
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    Aug 10th 2014, 2:14 PM

    What no idiotic Liverpool reference?

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    Mute Dingleberrycity
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    Aug 10th 2014, 12:41 PM

    Now all we need is for “The Score” to update its results app…
    I’m still looking at last seasons results for Scottish football and the English League….
    Get the finger out!

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    Mute Darach Brennan
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    Aug 10th 2014, 11:15 AM

    They’ve a crazy amount of keepers now. Kelvin Davis should go to a championship club now while he still has a few years left in his career. Always rated him highly. As for forster, can’t wait to see him.

    15
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