FORMER Saints captain Jose Fonte has agreed a deal to play in the Chinese Super League.

Fonte, 34, joined the club in 2010 and left in January last year to join West Ham United for a fee of around £8 million.

He helped Saints climb from League One into the Premier League in 2012.

Now, the Portugeuse has agreed a move to China to play for Dalian Yifang before this year's World Cup.

West Ham manager David Moyes said the former captain wanted to move in order to bolster his chances of making the national squad for the tournament in Russia.

The 34-year-old made just eight Premier League appearances for the hammers this campaign.