Defender Andrew Davies has called his time at Southampton "the happiest of his career" after completing a permanent move from Middlesbrough.The 23-year old wrapped up a move from the Premier League club for an undisclosed fee this week after an initial three-month loan deal.

He has been used in his more natural position of centre-back by manager George Burley and the player insists he never had any doubt his stay in Southampton would be a permanent one.

He told the club's official website: "I am over the moon to have signed. It was always going to happen though. When I came here I did not regard it as a loan. I knew the second I signed that I wanted to be here permanently.

"I never had any intentions of going back. I just felt that my time was up there. Along with the fact that I was playing in my natural position. I never really got a chance to do that at Middlesbrough, although to be fair they had some top centre-backs in Huth and Woodgate.

"It has been excellent here. In fact, I was telling some friends last week that this is the happiest I have been in my football career. I know I am only 23 but I have done a lot and this is the best time I have had."

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