SAINTS today unveiled new signing Bradley Wright-Phillips who manager George Burley believes can provide the spark his side needs to be among the promotion front-runners this season.

Saints have tied up the £750,000 signing of the 21-year-old from Manchester City - £250,000 of which was paid for by the Coca-Cola "Win a Player" competition - and Burley is delighted to have finally got his man.

Wright-Phillips, who has signed a three-year deal at St Mary's, will vie with Grzegorz Rasiak, Ricardo Fuller and youngsters Dexter Blackstock, Kenwyne Jones and David McGoldrick for a place in Burley's attack.

''He's a terrific player with a lot of ability and I'm really glad we've got him,'' said Burley.

''If you look at our frontmen here there is no doubt we have some very good strikers but we lack a bit of pace. He is a player who is keen to work the backline and chase balls and create problems with his pace.

''He will give us an extra dimension and it is great for us to have a young British striker which was the criteria I wanted.

''I tried to get him on loan last season but we were turned down. But we followed it up in the summer and have managed to sign him.'' Wright-Phillips - the half brother of Chelsea winger Shaun - becomes Burley's third summer signing after Rasiak and on-loan Argentinian midfielder Marcelo Sarmiento, and Saints' first since Michael Wilde replaced Rupert Lowe as chairman last week.

The England Under-20 international took advice from father Ian, the former Arsenal striker, before making his decision having fallen behind Paul Dickov, Andy Cole, Darius Vassell and Georgios Samaras in the pecking order at City.

''It was a wrench to leave City but it's an exciting challenge,'' he said.

''I spoke to my dad and he told me all about Southampton, and about George, and what to expect so I am happy to be here. It's a great club with great facilities.

''It's a big step for me. Southampton have got the players here to get back up to the Premiership and players I can learn from.

"It's just like being at a Premiership club and I hope I can help them get back there.'' Burley has promised further signings ahead of the new season and is believed to be still in talks with former club Hearts about signing rebel duo Andy Webster and Rudi Skacel.