STANDING 12 metres high and 9.5 metres wide, Saints' biggest-ever "signing" will be the pride of football club director Andrew Cowen.

The two-dimensional glass footballer will dominate the main entrance to the new Friends Provident St Mary's Stadium when it hosts its first matches in August.

Designs for the artwork were unveiled by Dorset glassmaker Martin Donlin.

Mr Cowen said: "It's a winner all round. I think it will look fantastic and will identify the eastern elevation of the stadium as something very special.

"It's a piece of contemporary glasswork which has a strong city and footballing theme, both of which we felt were integral to a successful design.

"We are very pleased with the way we have incorporated the public art into the fabric of the building."

The glass was commissioned by the club with support from the city council's public arts programme and will be installed next month.

Mr Donlin said: "We were trying to avoid a 'Roy of the Rovers' type of design.

"It is tinted so fans coming towards the ground will see a large footballer, and close up there is text on the glass, including an inaugural meeting in 1885 to name the club."

Public arts officer Liz Smith said: "This is a great co-operation between the city and the football club.

"We are absolutely delighted to have had one of the country's leading glassmakers to design it."