Southampton have completed the signing of Argentine midfielder Carlos Alcaraz from Racing Club.
The 20-year-old, who underwent his medical on the South Coast on Tuesday, has put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year contract until 2027 and allegedly joins the Saints for around £12.3m plus add-ons.
Southampton have announced their new arrival ahead of tonight's EFL Cup quarter-final clash against Manchester City at St Mary's.
Alcaraz becomes Nathan Jones's second signing of the January transfer window after Croatia international Mislav Orsic, who begins on the bench against Man City after joining from Dinamo Zagreb last week.
Speaking to Southampton's official website on his arrival at the club, Alcaraz said: "I'm very happy to be becoming part of this club. I knew that it would be a new challenge for me and for my career, so I wanted to take that, knowing that I would be joining a great club.
"I can't wait to get started training and playing, and I'm ready to give 100 per cent for this club, for this shirt. I'm looking forward to meeting all my teammates, and I'm ready to give it my all."
Midfielder Carlos Alcaraz has joined #SaintsFC on a four-and-a-half-year deal from @RacingClub ✍️
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 11, 2023
Jones added: "Charly's arrival is another major addition for us. There has been a lot of interest around Europe, so it's great to get him in and also to have done it quite early in the month.
"He will give us a really exciting option and add a bit more creativity into the side, which is something that will be a real benefit to us.
"I know how determined he is to get started and to help us, so we're looking forward to getting to work with him and we'll also make sure he has all the support needed to get settled in here."
Born in La Plata, Alcaraz joined Racing Club's academy in 2017 before making his professional debut at the age of 17 in January 2020.
The youngster went on to score 12 goals and provide six assists in 83 appearances for the senior team across all competitions, including the winning goal in a 2-1 extra-time victory against Boca Juniors in the final of the 2022 Trofeo de Campeones de la Liga Profesional in November.
Alcaraz will watch his new teammates from the stands at St Mary's tonight before potentially making his debut away against Everton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Oliver Thomas
