Gillingham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga has joined Premier League newcomers Southampton for an undisclosed fee.

The Argentine put pen-to-paper on a four year contract on Friday morning and has already joined his new team-mates at their training camp in Evian-les-Bains, France.

Gazzaniga, 20, was signed by former Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler last summer following his release from Spanish giants Valencia.

He made his debut in the home Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie with Barnet in October and soon captured the attention of scouts from higher-level clubs with a number of outstanding performances.

He ended up playing just 22 times for the Gills, after replacing Ross Flitney in goal, and rounded off an excellent first season at Priestfield by being named young player-of-the-year.

Saints boss Nigel Adkins told the club's website: "He is very ambitious, he is young and hungry and wants to do well for Southampton.

"He has a good stature about himself - he is a young lad who has an assured confidence about himself, which is good.

"I know from speaking with him that he has a very good attitude and work ethic, which is important for us.

"He will be in an environment that we think will help him improve under the guidance of our goalkeeping coach, Jim Stannard, and Kelvin Davis, who has a lot of experience and I know that he will take him under his wing."

As part of the deal Saints keeper Tommy Forecast will be joining the Gills on a season-long loan. He is due to arrive at Priestfield next week when the South Coast side return from France.

Forecast came through the Tottenham academy and, although signed professional terms in 2005, he didn't play in a first-team game.

He moved to Southampton in July 2008 as part of the deal that saw Gareth Bale move to White Hart Lane. He has since had loan spells with Grimsby, Eastbourne Borough, Thurrock and in Kent with Bromley.