Southampton have confirmed the signing of Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne on a four-year contract.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a switch to the newly-promoted Premier League outfit in recent weeks following reported interest from a number of clubs within the top flight.

"I'm overwhelmed, really," Clyne told the club's official website. "As soon as I heard that Southampton were in for me, I was happy and I knew that this was the place where I could try to improve my football, further my career and get a chance to play in the Barclays Premier League.

"It's a club with a lot of ambition - the gaffer told me that they would want to be pushing for European football. We've got good players here - a young bunch of good, talented players who are destined for the top, so I don't see why we can't do it."

Saints manager Nigel Adkins added: "We're delighted that we can finally announce that we've brought Nathaniel Clyne into the group to help us kick onto the next level."

Clyne spent four years at Selhurst Park before making the move to St Mary's.