Top 5: Premier League signings of the January transfer window

Jose Fonte to West Ham United

Captaining the Saints for three years and making more than 250 appearances for the club, including the back-to-back promotions and winning the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at Wembley, Jose Fonte has been signed to bolster the Hammers’ defence

Plus, to add his leadership qualities that the club is lacking, after the announcement that centre-back, Angelo Ogbonna, is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Eight million (£8m) seems a very good price in modern day football, but this is because of his age.

West Ham will get no more than two or three seasons out of the 33-year-old, however defence is an area where experience is hugely beneficial.

Last season, the Portuguese international was eighth in the league for the amount of defensive actions. Anyone watching West Ham’s defensive form of late, conceding five goals against Manchester City in the FA Cup third round, will know his service is needed if the club wants to maintain its vision of becoming a Champions League contender.

The Hammers have conceded four or more goals against Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, West Brom and Watford already this season.

Fonte will bring a great deal of defensive stability in his arrival, as he has done so for Southampton in his many years at the club. Partnered with the resolute Winston Reid, the pair should renew faith in the Hammers back line, and remove the defensive mishaps of recent.

They should be a great defensive partnership for the club going forward.

The central defender has also had recent success at Euro 2016, winning the tournament with Portugal. Part of the country’s success was down to the reliability of its defence, particularly Fonte and Pepe’s consistency during the tournament. Although Pepe took many of the plaudits, Fonte was integral throughout.