The Special One departs

  • by Matthew O'Greel
  • Friday, 21st September 2007

Christian Dailly has joined Southampton on loan, with view to a permanent deal.

West Ham United have confirmed that Scottish international Dailly has signed a temporary one-month deal with the Championship side.

He passed a medical with the Saints this morning and is set to make his debut against Barnsley at St Mary's tomorrow.

George Burley moved for the experienced centre-half after being left short in defence following injuries to Claus Lundekvam and Darren Powell.

"I am delighted to bring Christian to the club for an initial month, and we will take it from there," Burley told saintsfc.co.uk.

"He will give us just the sort of experience and composure we need at the back right now.

"Christian is a leader, a good character and enthusiastic. He's played a lot for Scotland and has been at West Ham for many years.

"He's still fit and still hungry to play so bringing him in will give us a big boost."

Dailly, 33, has barely featured in the United first team since Alan Curbishley took the managerial reigns from Alan Pardew a year ago.

He has slipped further down the pecking order at Upton Park since due to the arrivals of Matthew Upson, Lucas Neill and Calum Davenport.

Dailly is currently the club's longest serving player, having been a Hammer since moving to Upton Park in a £1.75m switch from Blackburn (as a replacement for Leeds-bound Rio Ferdinand) in January 2001.

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