Saints have received confirmation of the season long loan signing of Senegalese international striker Papa Waigo N'Diaye...

The 25-year old, who joins from Serie A side Fiorentina, arrives at St. Mary's on loan until the end of the 2009/10 season, with an option to buy at the conclusion of the current campaign.

The Club have waited to receive full confirmation of the loan signing from the Football League before making any announcement. The deal is still subject to the completion of any work permit formalities.

Born in St. Louis, Senegal, Papa Waigo has played his entire professional career in Italy, starting out with Verona in 2002.

After a successful spell with A.C. Cesena in Serie B, he then secured a move to Genoa in 2007 and made his Serie A debut in August of the same year before moving on to Fiorentina four months later.

The highly rated forward was picked as part of the Senegalese squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ghana, alongside former Saints loanee Henri Camara and Blackburn's El Hadji Diouf, although the West African side did not progress beyond the group stage.

Also able to play as a right-sided winger, Papa Waigo spent six months on loan at Lecce until June this year, and will now be hoping to prove himself in England with Southampton.

Saints boss Alan Pardew said: "We wanted another creative player and he comes highly recommended.

"He's a quick, creative forward player who will help us score more goals and I can't wait to see him in a Saints shirt."

Papa Waigo N'Diaye added: "I am excited to be coming to England and I'm looking forward to showing the Southampton fans what I can do."

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