CHARLIE AUSTIN HAS JOINED Southampton on a four-and-a-half-year deal from QPR.
The 26-year-old striker, who scored 18 goals in he Premier League for the relegated Rs last season, arrives for a transfer fee believed to be around £4 million (€5.2m).
“We are very happy to be able to welcome Charlie to the club,” said Saints director of football Les Reed.
Having had a taste of Premier League football and his first call-up to the England squad last season, he is determined to establish himself at the highest level of the game.
The arrival is likely to cast doubt over Shane Long’s future at Southampton as the Ireland striker is reportedly a January transfer target for Liverpool and Tottenham.
28-year-old Tipperary native Long signed for the club from Hull City back in August 2014 and has scored 15 goals in 60 appearances.