Southampton complete Davis swoop

Southampton have completed the signing of Sunderland goalkeeper Kelvin Davis.

Davis, 29, has signed a three-year deal at St Mary's after Saints agreed to pay a fee of around £1m.

The former Ipswich keeper joined Sunderland for £1.25m in June 2005 but could not stop the Black Cats' from being relegated from the Premiership.

"Kelvin is a big character. He has got good experience and I am delighted to have got him" Southampton manager George Burley told his club's website.

"I felt that it is an area where we need a bit of cover because Bartosz Bialkowski is still a very young `keeper at just 19 and he has just had a major operation, so we cannot be sure how long he will be out for.

"I also think that it is important to have a bit of experience in that position and Kelvin is a player that I think highly of.

"I have followed his career since he was a youngster at Luton and he has worked with (goalkeeping coach) Malcolm Webster a lot. He knows him inside out so we know what we are getting."

Sunderland chief executive Peter Walker said: "We wish Kelvin all the very best of luck with his new club."

"Everyone is aware that last season was a difficult one, none more so than for Kelvin, but this deal represents good business for Sunderland and is also in the best interests of the player."

Davis began his career at Luton and has also played for Wimbledon.