Saints agree Nilsson deal

Southampton have agreed a pre-contract deal with versatile Sweden international Mikael Nilsson.

The 26-year-old, who played every minute of the Scandinavians’ run to the Euro 2004 quarter-finals, will join from Halmstad at the end of the Swedish domestic season.

However, the Saints have made a substantial offer to allow the versatile star to leave in time for the start of the new Premiership campaign.

Nilsson has agreed a four-year contract but he is keen to get started sooner.

He told the official Southampton website, www.saintsfc.co.uk: “I am delighted to be joining Southampton.

“It is a good club with great facilities and some tremendous players and I am very excited by the challenge.

“The last few weeks have of course been dominated by Euro 2004 but I am glad this has all been sorted out and I cannot wait to get here.”

Saints chairman Rupert Lowe added: “We are bringing him in as a right midfielder but he is a very versatile player.

“He did very well in Euro 2004 and is a quality player with a lot of experience.

“We are still hoping he will be here in time for the new season but that depends on negotiations.

“We have made a substantial offer to buy out the remainder of his contract but if we cannot reach agreement then he will come here in December.”

Lowe also denied reports of a move for Coca-Cola Championship side Crewe’s England Under-21 striker Dean Ashton, claiming: “There is nothing in it.”