Southampton have completed the signing of Alex McCarthy from Crystal Palace.

Goalkeeper McCarthy, 26, becomes the Saints’ third summer arrival following deals to bring Nathan Redmond and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to the club.

McCarthy, a former England U21 stopper, is expected to play back-up to first-choice man Fraser Forster.

A product of the Reading academy, McCarthy joined the Eagles last summer from Queens Park Rangers but only made seven league appearances for Alan Pardew’s side.

The player has now signed a three-year deal with Southampton and leaves south London for an undisclosed fee.

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