Charlie Austin Joins Southampton
Southampton Football Club have today confirmed they have signed former Claret and QPR striker Charlie Austin for a fee reported to be about four million pound. The 26-year-old has joined the Saints on a four-and-a-half-year contract after passing a medical.
Austin who scored 18 Premier League goals last season as QPR were relegated, was also rewarded with an England call-up, the former Burnley player Austin, whose contract at Loftus Road was due to expire in the summer, has scored 10 goals in 16 appearances this season.
The centre forward has not featured for Queens Park Rangers since mid december due to injury, QPR director of football Les Ferdinand said, “the decision to sell Austin was made in the best financial interests of the club, as he could leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.”
Austin, who has scored 130 goals since joining Swindon Town in 2009, will join up with his new team-mates next week. He joins a side tenth in the Premier League after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat of West Brom.
Speaking about the signing Southampton manager Ronald Koeman said, “He was our target for January, the number of goals he’s scored in the Premier League is amazing. We are looking forward to having him in the squad and having more competition.”
