These are Southampton’s top 3 January signings

Jose Fonte

Arguably Southampton’s best bit of January business was bringing in Portuguese international defender Jose Fonte from Crystal Palace in January 2010.

The centre-back played 82 times in the Championship for the Eagles, yet decided to drop down to League One to help the Saints get back into the second tier.

And he did just that in his first full season at the club in 2010/11, netting seven goals and winning the club’s Player of the Season award for his outstanding contributions in the backline.

Fonte was also a key part of the team which secured back-to-back promotions the season after and, although there were concerns about whether he could cut it in the Premier League, he has since gone to make 154 top-flight appearances to help solidify Southampton’s status in the top tier.

The Euro 2016 winner is now widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the division and, as a result, he’ll likely have several suitors this month should Southampton let him go before his contract ends next year.