Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has insisted that new signing Steven Caulker will add much-needed depth to his defensive options.

The Englishman completed a season-long loan from Queens Park Rangers yesterday, and Koeman admitted that he is delighted to snap him up.

He told the club's official website: "We're very pleased to have him because we need players in that position. We need the competition there. He is still a young player and he's already made his debut in the national team.

"He had a difficult season last year with QPR and for Steven it's a good opportunity to be part of the Southampton family. I had a good talk with him, a very positive one. He looks like a good professional and good professionals are happy and involved at Southampton.

"It's a good signing for us because we are a little bit weaker in that position than others in terms of numbers. We now have a player with experience in the Premier League and that's very important."

Caulker has been relegated from the Premier League in both of the last two seasons with Cardiff City and QPR.