Gillingham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga has today joined Premier League side Southampton on a four year deal for an undisclosed fee.
The 20 year old Argentinian has sealed his move to the Saints with goalkeeper Tommy Forecast moving to Priestfield on a season long loan.
Forecast will join up with the Gillingham squad once the Saints to return to England next week.
Gazzaniga joined Gillingham on a free transfer last summer, signing a two year deal and leaves for the Premier League side in a deal that has been rumoured to be in the region of £2 million.
Paulo told the Southampton official website: “I am very happy because signing for a Premier League team is a dream.
“It’s mad because I only played a few matches last season – it’s a crazy situation.
“The Club has a lot of ambition, so I was eager to sign. I can’t wait to get started.”
First Team Manager Nigel Adkins said: “We have been looking for a young, hungry goalkeeper and Paulo fitted that mould.
“We are delighted that we have secured his services and that he has come out to Évian to join up with the group.
“He will be in an environment that we think will help him improve under the guidance of our goalkeeping coach, Jim Stannard, and Kelvin Davis, who has a lot of experience and I know that he will take him under his wing.”
“He was with Valencia the year before last before coming over to England and getting some games under his belt at Gillingham, which is where our recruitment department spotted him.
“He has a good stature about himself – he is a young lad who has an assured confidence about himself, which is good.
“I know from speaking with him that he has a very good attitude and work ethic, which is important for us.”
Forecast played eleven games on loan with Bromley last season with the 25 year old keeper yet to make his full debut for the Saints after joining them in the summer of 2008 on a five year deal.
Meanwhile, Gillingham midfielder Jack Payne has been linked with a move to the Premier League as well with Reading the favourites to land his signature.