SAINTS will officially complete the signing of midfielder Richard Chaplow on a two-and-a-half-year deal when the transfer window opens.

Terms have been agreed with the Preston player, who has been on an emergency loan at St Mary's since the end of September.

That deal was due to expire tomorrow, but Saints have now announced they have sorted out a permanent switch for the 25-year-old.

The undisclosed nominal fee for the former Premier League player is thought to be about £50,000.

Chaplow should be available to play against Exeter on Saturday, after the Football League last night confirmed to the Daily Echo that he would be eligible to play if a transfer was sorted out as soon as the window opens.