Carlisle United have made teenage Southampton centre-half Dynel Simeu their fourth signing of the January transfer window.
The 19-year-old has joined the Blues on a half-season loan deal from the Premier League club.
Simeu will add defensive competition at Brunton Park after the recent departure of Arsenal loanee Jonathan Dinzeyi.
The former Chelsea and England Under-19 player has been on the Saints' books since last July, having been at Stamford Bridge for the previous six years until heading to the south coast for a reported £1.5m.
He has played for both Southampton and Chelsea's Under-21s in the EFL Trophy, and is awaiting his first-team debut, though he has been on the first-team bench this season.
He could be in the United squad for this weekend's home clash with Sutton United in League Two.
Simeu follows previous January additions Joel Senior, Tyrese Omotoye and Omari Patrick into Brunton Park.
And his arrival follows the earlier exit of Dinzeyi back to parent club Arsenal.
Simeu will provide competition for the likes of Rod McDonald, Morgan Feeney and Corey Whelan in Keith Millen's back four.
The Cameroon-born player has been a top target for the Cumbrians according to manager Millen.
He said on the Blues' website: "Dynel is someone I saw at the very beginning of my time here. He was number one on our list and I’ve worked really hard to get him here.
"I’ve driven down to Southampton twice to watch him play, and I met him again on Sunday.
"I’ve done a lot of hours on this deal, and I have to say Southampton have been good and have kept us updated all the way through.
"There was a hold up because he was in and around the first team when they had Covid and injuries, so like a lot of Premier League clubs they’ve been holding players back.
"That delayed it for a couple of weeks, but they’re in a better position now and they want him to come and play football."
Millen said he looked forward to helping Simeu develop with United.
He added: “I like the fact that he can play left and right-sided centre half. He's comfortable on either side which is a massive help.
"He’s big, strong, aggressive and quick, and he’s good on the ball.
"There’s a lot to work with for me, and I’m really excited that he’s decided to come to us because there was a lot of interest in him.
"He needs to concentrate on being a first-team player until the end of the season, then I think he’ll go back to Southampton a lot closer to being in their thoughts."
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