Southampton skipper Jose Fonte has welcomed the loan signing of QPR defender Steven Caulker.

Toby Alderweireld's decision to join Tottenham and a serious knee injury sustained by Florin Gardos forced Ronald Koeman's hand to sign another centre-back for the Saints.

Fonte is delighted to have a player of such calibre in the team and believes the English defender will add competition to the squad.

"He's competition and having a player of his calibre, a player who has represented England, shown a lot of potential, still young, is going to make the other centre-backs on your toes and working harder to keep our place in the team," Fonte said. "It's very important we have this kind of player in the club. We want to move forward and for that we need competition in every place. I am happy we have signed him and we welcome to the club."