Saints have this afternoon completed the loan signing of Preston North End defender Neal Trotman...

The 6 foot 2" centre back joined up with Alan Pardew's squad on Thursday morning, and will remain with the Club until January 3rd 2010.

22 year old Trotman started his career at Premiership new boys Burnley, before being released at the age of 18 and signing terms with Oldham Athletic. He went on to make a name for himself with the Latics after an impressive start to the 07-08 campaign saw him make a total of 20 starts.

Levenshulme born Trotman soon attracted the attention of scouts from clubs in the higher divisions with his dominant displays at the back, and in January 2008 Preston paid £500,000 to secure his services.

Trotman looks set to add another dimension to Saints' backline, and having already scored a towering header in Preston's 5-1 demolition of Morecambe in this season's Carling Cup, could prove to be the dominant presence Alan Pardew has been after at both ends of the pitch.

Pardew said: "Neal will bring us an aerial presence in the box that we have been lacking and I am delighted that we have been able to bring him to St. Mary's on loan."

New loanee Neal Trotman with Saints Manager Alan Pardew