Southampton have named former West Ham and Charlton manager Alan Pardew as their new boss.
His appointment on a three-year deal was rubber-stamped in the early hours of Friday, BBC Radio Solent can reveal.
Pardew, 47, said: "I'm proud and very excited to be joining a club with an immense history and huge potential."
New Saints owner Markus Liebherr said:"We are delighted to have been able to attract Alan to St Mary's from a very strong field of candidates."
Pardew, who has been out of football since leaving Charlton in November 2008, replaces Mark Wotte.
The Dutchman made his exit after Swiss businessman Liebherr completed his takeover of the troubled club earlier this month.
Saints came close to going bust after they were relegated from the Championship in May, and will begin their League One campaign on minus 10 points.
606: DEBATELiebherr added: "Alan has a strong track record and impressed us with his vision, commitment and ambition. We look forward to working with him."
Pardew took West Ham to the FA Cup final in 2006, but his spell at Charlton was less successful with the club languishing at the foot of the Championship table when he departed.
But the former Reading boss said he was relishing his latest challenge.
"Everything is here in terms of quality of stadium, training facilities and, now, financial stability," he said.
"I'm look forward to working with the squad and with the executive management as part of a team committed to achieving progress.
"Of course, I will bring my own style of football management to the club, but as part of a plan being evolved it to achieve long term success."
Stewart Henderson has been in temporary charge of Southampton and is taking the squad through pre-season training and preparing them for a friendly against Ajax on Saturday.
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