Chaplow signs

Southampton have signed Preston North End midfielder Richard Chaplow on a permanent basis for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old will officially become a Saints player when the transfer window opens on 1 January after agreeing a two-and-a-half year deal.

Chaplow has been on loan at St Mary’s for the last three months after falling out of favour at Deepdale.

He told BBC Radio Solent: “I’m delighted to get it done. This is a great club with a great manager.”

Having started his career at Burnley, Chaplow then moved to West Bromwich Albion for £1.5m in January 2005, before joining Preston three years later.

“I think there’s lots more to come from me,” he said. “I’m only 25, I shouldn’t even really be at my peak yet. I’ve had some big clubs sniffing around me before, and I’m at one now too.”