LYON have confirmed the permanent signing of Saints defender Duje Caleta-Car, following his loan spell at the French side.

Caleta-Car, 27, signed for Saints from Marseille on a four-year contract in September 2022 as one of five deadline-day additions.

However, the Croatian international went on to feature just 19 times in all competitions, spending large spells out of the squad.

Caleta-Car completed a loan back to France with Lyon in the summer of 2023, with an option clause in his contract set to make it a permanent move.

Lyon have now confirmed that transfer, with Caleta-Car signing a contract until 2027 at his new permanent club.

The total transfer fee for his Saints exit is expected to be worth in the region of £5million, although the exact total remains undisclosed.

Former Red Bull Salzburg defender Caleta-Car made 24 Ligue 1 appearances for Lyon last season, with his side finishing sixth in the division.

Saints are yet to publicly acknowledge Caleta-Car's exit, despite Lyon confirming the move on Monday evening via their social channels.

Training ground rumours had suggested unrest during Caleta-Car's time at Saints but were never confirmed.