Jose Fonte has crowned Saints’ promotion-winning season by scooping the 35th Daily Echo Player of the Season award.

The Portuguese centre half won the fans’ poll with 64 per cent of the vote. Adam Lallana came second with 18 per cent while Dan Harding was third with seven per cent in one of the highest turnouts for many years.

Fonte has been a rock in the middle of the Saints defence ever since he joined the club in January 2010 for £1.2m from Crystal Palace.

After 21 appearances at the back end of last season, he has kicked on further this campaign and has consistently looked a cut above in League One.

Saints fans have warmed to the 27-year-old with the flowing locks, with the ‘Jose Fonte baby’ chant a favourite at St Mary’s.

Fonte, one of five Saints players who made the PFA League One team of the year, has started 42 league games for Saints in their promotion-winning season and appeared in a further four cup games.

Full story in today's Daily Echo