MX23RW : Monday, May 13 16:59:02| >> :600:92307:92307:

Alex McCarthy joins Southampton from Crystal Palace on three-year deal

Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy leaves Crystal Palace to join Southampton on a three-year deal.

Southampton have announced the signing of goalkeeper Alex McCarthy from Crystal Palace on a three-year deal.

The 26-year-old, who spent one season at Palace following a £3.5m move from Queens Park Rangers last summer, has committed himself to the Saints until 2019.

Southampton manager Claude Puel has been hunting for a second-choice keeper to provide cover for Fraser Forster following the departure of Maarten Stekelenburg and Kelvin Davis's retirement.

McCarthy, who failed to dislodge Wayne Hennessey from the number one spot at Selhurst Park last season, said: "I'm over the moon to join a club like this. The club is known for producing young players and they've had successful seasons.

"There's the Europa League to look forward to this season, so there's going to be a lot of games. With the stature of the club, I'm honoured to be here and I'm looking forward to getting working with everyone."

Executive director of football Les Reed added: "Once again, I am delighted to welcome another player to the squad at Southampton. We now have two quality English goalkeepers who have both represented the country at International level.

"I am confident that Fraser will soon be England's number one, and in Alex we have a young player who has already had a taste of the England senior squad, as well as excellent experience at Under-21 level.

"Alex is ambitious and will be pushing for a starting place every time he gets the opportunity, which can only be good for Fraser and a shining example for Harry Lewis and the younger keepers below. Working with Dave Watson, our keepers can only get better and, who knows, we could have two Saints stoppers at the World Cup in two years' time."

McCarthy made his senior debut at Reading, and was sent out on loan to eight different clubs during a seven-year spell.

ID:277979: cacheID:277979:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3509:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Alex McCarthy of Crystal Palace during the 2015 Cape Town Cup Final match between Crystal Palace FC and Sporting Lisbon at Cape Town Stadium on July 26, 2015
Read Next:
Southampton 'open Alex McCarthy talks'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeicester CityLeicester463141189414897
3Leeds UnitedLeeds462791081433890
4Southampton462691187632487
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4621121370472375
6Norwich CityNorwich4621101579641573
7Hull City461913146860870
8Middlesbrough46209177162969
9Coventry CityCoventry4617131670591164
10Preston North EndPreston46189195667-1163
11Bristol City461711185351262
12Cardiff CityCardiff46195225370-1762
13Millwall461611194555-1059
14Swansea CitySwansea461512195965-657
15Watford461317166161056
16Sunderland46168225254-256
17Stoke CityStoke461511204960-1156
18Queens Park RangersQPR461511204758-1156
19Blackburn RoversBlackburn461411216074-1453
20Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds46158234468-2453
21Plymouth ArgylePlymouth461312215970-1151
RBirmingham CityBirmingham461311225065-1550
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield46918194877-2945
RRotherham UnitedRotherham46512293789-5227


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!