Southampton finally got their man, with Victor Wanyama completing a move to the English Premier League side from Celtic for a reported club record fee of £12.5 million ($19 million).
Wanyama had initially turned down a move to the Saints after failing to agree on personal terms, but after Southampton reignited their interest, it became apparent that they would seal the signing, with the midfielder penning a four-year contract at St Mary's.
"It feels great and I am happy to be here," Wanyama told the club's official website.
"Finally it has happened and we've come to the end (of negotiations), so I am delighted. There were other options, but Southampton is a club with ambitions so I chose to come here.
"Southampton is a good club and it has good players, so I just want to train hard and work hard to be a part of the starting XI. We'll see where that will take me.
"I'm very grateful to be here and I'm looking forward to playing in the Premier League.
"I've seen that the stadium is great and the dressing room is looking good, and I know some of the players. I hope they will help me and I think I will get along with the others, so it will be good.
"I am happy to be a part of Southampton's squad. It means a lot because it has been my dream to play in the Premier League and now I am here."
Southampton, who have already completed the big signing of Dejan Lovren from Lyon, will be happy to add Wanyama, who has been previously linked to the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
"I am very pleased to have secured the signing of Victor because we are a big admirer of his talents and he will fit in well to the team here at Southampton," Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino said.
"I want to stress that the deal could have been done sooner, but this shows that we do business on our terms. The most important thing that ourselves, Celtic and the player are all happy with the way it has all gone.
"The fact that a lot of top European clubs were also keen to sign him shows what an attractive prospect Southampton Football Club is to a player who had his pick of the teams in England and abroad.
"I've watched him perform at the top level in the Champions League, and I believe that he will be a valuable addition to our Premier League squad for the season ahead."
Meanwhile, Southampton also confirmed the departures of two of their players Richard Chaplow and Vegard Forren, who failed to make a single appearance with the Saints after switching from Molde in January.
"Southampton Football Club has today mutually agreed to terminate Richard Chaplow's contract, while Vegard Forren has been allowed to rejoin former side Molde FK," the club said in a statement.
