Southampton sign Newcastle target for cut-price £4m fee

The 26-year-old was one of the stars of last season, but his 18-goal haul in his maiden top-flight season was not enough to help the west Londoners retain their Premier League status.

Austin had been widely expected to leave Loftus Road over the summer but remained after QPR stood firm on their £15million valuation of the forward, whose contract expired at the end of the season.

However, the Hoops this week accepted a £4million bid for the striker, which was announced by the south coast club on today.

Austin, called up by England for the first time at the end of last season, has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal at St Mary's.

"I'm delighted to have got it over the line so soon into January," he said. "I can't wait to get started now.

"As soon as Southampton showed an interest, that was the one club I wanted to go to.

"You see the progression from when I was playing against Southampton for Swindon.

"For me, it was important to come to a club that's on the up, and that's what I've got here."

Austin had been a target for Newcastle last summer, but the club baulked at his valuation.