Southampton complete loan transfer of Maarten Stekelenburg from Fulham

Southampton have completed the signing of Maarten Stekelenburg on a season-long loan from Fulham, as they look to fill the gap left by the injury to their number one Fraser Forster.

This is Southampton's third signing of the summer, having already acquired the signatures of Juanmi and Cedric Soares.

Stekelenburg will add some much needed depth in the goal keeping position, especially with them having to contend with European football after qualifying for the Europa League, following Arsenal's win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup.

The club's executive director Les Reed expressed his satisfaction at the deal and insisted that Stekelenburg would be an important acquisition for the club in the season ahead.

"Maarten is a goalkeeper with a wealth of top-level experience who will prove to be an important addition to the squad at this early stage of pre-season," Reed said.

"While Fraser Forster's rehabilitation is progressing well, adding Maarten to our squad alongside Kelvin Davis and Paulo Gazzaniga will give us strength in depth for what will be a busy season.

"Maarten enjoyed tremendous success in Holland with Ajax and on the international stage, playing in the 2010 World Cup final. His experience will be invaluable to us, especially with the arrival of European football.

"There was strong competition for Maarten's services, so we are very pleased he has committed to our cause."

Stekelenburg, who spent the last season with Monaco on loan, is extremely satisfied with the move and revealed that he will do everything in his power to lead Southampton to glory.

"I'm very pleased that I've joined," the Dutchman said.

"It's a big, nice club that will play European football – and I can play. Last year I didn't play a lot, so it's an opportunity for me. I'm grateful.

"The last two years weren't the best of my career. As they say in England: the best is yet to come."