BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl described as “smart” new Saints midfielder Ibrahima Diallo and added: “I think we are exactly the club he needs now.”

The French midfielder joined up with the Saints squad, training for the first time on Wednesday having sealed a £12million move from Ligue 1 outfit Brest.

Diallo had been in action for France under-21s over the international break, coming off the bench in a 1-0 victory over Slovakia.

Speaking about the arrival of the Tours-born star, Hasenhuttl said: “Very good guy, solid and settled. Very clear in his mind. Smart guy who wants to learn and wants to make the next step.

“I think we are exactly the club he needs now to develop himself and he's exactly the of player we need now for this six position, because we don't have a lot of alternatives there.

“A few young lads we want to push but he is the player that can immediately play there. He's a very good signing.”

As well as Diallo, Saints have brought in the likes of Mohammed Salisu to add to their squad from last season.

Full-back Kyle Walker-Peters made his loan move from Tottenham permanent, while Theo Walcott has agreed a season-long loan return from Everton.

Speaking about the club’s summer window business, Hasenhuttl added: “We spoke about two, three players we wanted to bring in. We have three.

“This is exactly what we wanted to do and now I think we have a good balanced squad with good quality in every position and we are prepared for the massive games we have coming up now.”