Queens Park Rangers have loaned defender Steven Caulker to Southampton for next season, reports Sky Sports.

Caulker, 23, was one of QPR's brighter sparks in a dismal season that saw them relegated to the Championship finishing the season bottom.

It has been rumoured all summer about several Premier

League clubs keeping an eye on Caulker and it is Southampton who have won the race to sign the English International on loan for the upcoming season.

The 23-year-old began his career at Tottenham and signed his first professional contract with the club in 2009. He spent most of his time at White Hart Lane on loan

at Yeovil, Bristol City and Swansea and impressed in each of these seasons but it was not enough for him to manage more than 18 appearances for Spurs, and as a result he was sold to Cardiff City for whom he made 38 appearances scoring 5 goals as the Bluebirds where relegated from the Premier

League, but Caulker won more admirers in this season and remained in the top flight as he moved to QPR for whom he played for despite their relegation.

He did manage to appear once for England in 2012 after appearing previously for the U19 and U21 sides, he also played for Great Britain in the Olympics.

This is a shrewd addition for Ronald Koeman's side as they attempt to fill the void left by Toby Alderweireld who opted to move to Tottenham instead of remaining on the south coast.

Caulker has plenty of experience in the Premier

League and despite the relegation of both teams he has been with recently, his performances have certainly been of a high standard and Saints will definitely benefit again from this.

Saints fans, What do you make of this news? Are you excited by this signing?

QPR fans, Are you sad to see this news? Is it a good deal to send him out on loan

? Should you of kept him to help your quest to return to the top flight? Let us know your thoughts and comments below!