Southampton announced that Brazilian defender Welington had signed a pre contract contract agreement with the club earlier in the season, now with the January transfer window open he has signed the real contract.

Welington or to give him his full name, Welington Damascena Santos, those who like a good omen should note that Santos is the Portugese word for Saints, is a left back who will turn 24 next month and joins in an out of contract free transfer.

He made 87 appearances for Sao Paulo in the Brazilian Serie A and although he didn't score in the league, he had 7 assists to his name.

He has also made another 97 appearances for the Sao Paulo first team in other competitions , Sao Paulo also play in a State League competition as well as cup competitions, so overall he had 167 appearances to his name.

So he arrives at St Mary's with the experience to play a part in the first team, primarily he is a left back or wing back, but he can also play as a more conventional wide midfielder and has also played on the right.

He has been given the squad number 34, suggesting that he is in contention and will not be loaned out to another club as his former colleague Juan, who also signed a pre contract deal at the same time as Welington back in July.

There will be some who will jump up and say this is the sign that Kyle Walker Peters will leave in January, that might be the case, after all with KWP not signing a new deal and out of contract in July, it would be folly for Saints not to have contingency plans.

However this was a deal done back in July, rather than one done now as a direct replacement and it should be pointed out that KWP is primarily a right sided player, if he does stay and Welington proves to be a quality signing, then I would expect KWP to play on the right and Welington on the left.

All Photos Via Reuters