Southampton sign Wesley Hoedt for £15m from Lazio as vice-chairman Les Reed tells fans he'll play 'alongside international teammate Virgil van Dijk'

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Southampton have signed Holland centre-back Wesley Hoedt for £15million from Serie A side Lazio, with vice chairman Les Reed assuring fans he will partner want-away compatriot Virgil van Dijk in defence.

The 23-year-old Hoedt has signed a five-year deal at St Mary's and is the club's third summer signing. He will wear the No 6 shirt.

Upon the deal being announced, Reed pointedly outlined the club's stance that Van Dijk will not be allowed to leave despite handing in a transfer request and being banished from first-team training.

Wesley Hoedt shakes hands with Les Reed after joining Southampton from Lazio

Reed said that Hoedt will continue his development alongside Virgil van Dijk

'Wesley is one of the most promising young defenders in Europe and represents a significant addition to our squad,' Reed said. 

'We believe he can develop even further here at Southampton, alongside his international teammate Virgil van Dijk, as well as the likes of Jack Stephens, Maya Yoshida, Jan Bednarek and Florin Gardos.'

Van Dijk has been wanted by Liverpool, who withdrew their interest in a public apology amid accusations of tapping him up. 

The 26-year-old is currently training with Southampton's Under 18s and has not linked up with the first-team squad since informing Saints boss Mauricio Pellegrino of his intention to leave.

He was also fined two weeks' wages for making himself unavailable for Southampton's pre-season friendlies, telling Pellegrino he wasn't in the right frame of mind to play.

In his transfer request, Van Dijk said: ‘I have consistently relayed my feelings to senior management at Southampton in what I believed to be private and personal conversations. Disappointingly, these conversations have regularly found their way into the media. 

‘I have been left frustrated by the club's position that I am not for sale and am disappointed that enquiries from multiple top clubs have been consistently rebuffed.’ 

Van Dijk has not trained with Southampton's team since telling the club he wants to leave

Hoedt is a Holland international and an international team-mate of Van Dijk 

But Southampton have so far held firm, despite Van Dijk agitating for an exit and Reed moved quickly to inform Southampton's supporters that Hoedt has been signed to play with Van Dijk, not to replace him.

After putting pen to paper to complete his move from Serie A, Hoedt said: 'I'm really happy to be here. 

'I think Southampton is a really big club, so it's a good next step for me to come here and to play in the Premier League and try to help the best I can.'