Southampton strengthen defence with £15m Hoedt from Lazio
Wesley Hoedt has signed a five-year deal at Southampton after the Premier League club paid Lazio a reported £15million.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pRCtKJX25pSHNa2YhvzPBM.jpg)
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, ! 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.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"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."
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
‘Missing the Euros was one of the toughest moments of my career – I got into a good place mentally and physically with my form, then my body broke down’: England star reflects on agonising summer
'No one from my background has made history in golf, so that was a space I needed to fill': Ex-Premier League striker becomes PGA pro after choosing a different set of clubs