Niemi heads for Southampton

Finnish international goalkeeper Antti Niemi has agreed a €3.1m move from Heart of Midlothian FC to Southampton FC.

Personal terms
The 30-year-old finalised personal terms with Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe after the clubs had spent a week discussing the details of the fee. Niemi will feature in Southampton's Premiership game against Liverpool FC on Saturday subject to completing a medical.

Rangers experience
Niemi - capped 41 times for Finland - started his career in Denmark with FC København before moving to Rangers FC in 1997. Hearts paid €705,550 for the keeper in 1999 after he was unable to dislodge first-choice goalkeeper Stefan Klos at Ibrox.

Financial problems
While at Tynecastle, Niemi excelled between the posts. However, the financial plight gripping Scottish football made a move likely as soon as Hearts found a bidder willing to pay the asking price.

'The right deal for us'
Lowe confirmed the move on the Southampton website and added: "This is the right deal for us at the right price and at the right age. [Niemi] speaks perfect English, organises the defence well and we hope he'll make a major contribution."

Second time lucky
Niemi sat out Finland's 3-0 defeat at home to the Republic of Ireland yesterday while the deal was being discussed. It is a case of second time lucky for manager Gordon Strachan who failed to lure the keeper to Coventry City FC when he was in charge of the Highfield Road side.