Svensson: Now a Saint (Picture/Empics)

The Premiership side said that the 26-year-old centre-back had signed a four-year contract. The deal was agreed with Troyes a few weeks ago but had to be put on hold because the player was away at the World Cup, where he was an unused member of Sweden's squad.

'He is a very nice lad - but on the field he has a competitive and aggressive streak which has earned him the nickname of Michael the Killer!' Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe told the club's official website.

'I like that. It is important to have players with that hunger and desire to win and he hates to lose. He is the right age and height, he is wiry, strong and very good in the air.

'He has improved on the ground over the past year and although he did not play in the World Cup finals, you do not get in the 23 if you do not have something about you.'

Svensson began his career with Swedish side Skillingaryds but only shot to prominence after moving to IFK Vernamo, staying there for four years before moving to Halmstad. There he won the Swedish championship twice in his four years before moving to Troyes for a small fee.