Saints have made the first of what they hope will be several signings on the closing day of the transfer window.

Southampton Football Club is pleased to announce the signing of goalkeeper Mouez Hassen on a five-month loan deal.

The 21-year-old goalkeeper joins from French club OGC Nice on a temporary deal until the end of the 2016/17 campaign.

The move sees Hassen link back up with Saints boss Claude Puel, with the two having worked together previously at Nice.

Hassen made his breakthrough there during the 2013/14 campaign, making five appearances in total before enjoying his most successful season to-date in 2014/15.

The goalkeeper made 30 appearances in all competitions, as Nice finished 11th in Ligue 1. In total, Hassen has made 50 appearances for the French outfit.

Hassen has also represented France at every youth level, from Under-16s all the way through to Under-21s, winning 14 caps in total.

Speaking about his arrival at St Mary’s, Hassen said: “I am really happy. It’s a pleasure for me to come to England for the first time and I am really happy to get to know the Premier League.

“I am really looking forward to joining the team.”

Executive Director of Football Les Reed said: “Mouez is a promising young goalkeeper, and we are very pleased to have been able to bring him to Southampton.

“He has built an excellent reputation during his time with Nice and also in his country’s youth teams, and will provide us with further depth in the months ahead.

“As well as adding to our squad, we believe Mouez can continue his development in his time at Southampton and make strides in his own game under the expert guidance of our Head of Goalkeeping, Dave Watson, as well as working alongside Fraser Forster.

“Harry Lewis has had opportunities and gained great experience while Alex McCarthy has been injured, and Stuart Taylor has brought excellent experience to the group and now Mouez will add to our strength in depth.”

Photo: Action Images

LordDZLucan added 14:35 - Jan 31 This adds credence to the rumour that I've heard which is that Fraser wants to leave. Otherwise this signing makes no sense at all.
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vanmans added 14:35 - Jan 31 That is the least important one done. Now lets get the ones we really need. After Saturdays abysmal performance lets get 3 points tonight.
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vanmans added 14:35 - Jan 31 That is the least important one done. Now lets get the ones we really need. After Saturdays abysmal performance lets get 3 points tonight.
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RednWight added 14:54 - Jan 31 Why is it not the manager in the photo with him ?
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highfield49 added 14:58 - Jan 31 At a guess he's somewhere in Wales?
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Sanguin added 15:36 - Jan 31 THIS is the transfer all the fans wanted to see.
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dixiefrog added 18:06 - Jan 31 Least important does a disservice to the lad, let's get behind him and give him at least one match to show us what he can do...then the perennial moaners can crucify him.
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luffy22 added 18:25 - Jan 31 I'm lost for words, were in crises, get thumped 5-0 at home over the weekend, we don't have any strikers, of the first choice defence one has left to a rival and the other is injured, and they get a reserve team keeper in. What has happened to out club, I've seen some bad times over the years, but always thought the club is doing its best, but now were a rudderless ship, without leaders in the board room or team management. The skate that sits next to me is thinking all this christmases have come at once. He's having the time of his life with all the p1ss taking and I don't have any reply, apart from were in the final of a second tier cup which we won by beating arsenal and then Liverpool reserves. And were playing a rampant Manu u in the final FFS saints, get some respect

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the_saint added 18:50 - Jan 31 Ake from Chelsea would be a good buy
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Cjay80 added 18:53 - Jan 31 Luffy22 what team do you support? The 180 minutes against Liverpool I saw was their best side and we were magnificent. A second tier cup that provides a route to Europe, I'll take that. Mouez Hassen has clearly been bought to warm the bench and if FF gets an injury, will be a more able deputy than Harry Lewis has been. Alex McCarthy is obviously going to be out for a little while. My only question with this would be why do we have Stuart Taylor if he isn't an able deputy?

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NeilF added 10:52 - Feb 1 I wonder why Claude did not let any of the players who played against Arsenal go. How long should a team wait for some players to be a vital part in the team? The Arsenal game showed that strength in depth.
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