League one side Southampton have announced the signing of Portuguese defender Jose Fonte from Crystal Palace. Fonte, 26, has signed a three and a half year contract at St. Mary’s. The fee Saints paid Palace for the defender’s services was not revealed, but rumours have it to be somewhere near the £1.2m mark.
Fonte, a product of Sporting Lisbon’s famed youth system, had ill fated spells at Salgueiros and F.C. Felgueiras before signing for Vitoria Setubal in 2005. After one year, he moved to Portuguese giants Benfica and had loan spells at Pacos Ferreira, Estrela Amadora and Crystal Palace. Palace’s loan deal had an option to buy the player and Eagles boss Neil Warnock saw enough talent in Fonte to bring him to Selhurst Park on a permanent basis in July 2008.
Fonte made 22 league appearances for Crystal Palace in the 2009-10 Championship season. He has a younger brother Rui, who was at Arsenal between 2006 and 2009.
Also Get the very Latest Football Transfer News, Rumours and Gossip direct to your email.