New Southampton forward Danny Ings has said that he simply could not pass up "the opportunity to come home" in this summer's transfer window.

Ings sealed a move to Southampton on transfer deadline day, with the 26-year-old due to spend the 2018-19 campaign on loan at St Mary's ahead of a potential permanent move next summer.

Ings was born in Hampshire and was reportedly desperate to represent Saints during his youth career, but was rejected for being too small, and ultimately joined Bournemouth.

The one-time England international has now secured a move to St Mary's, however, having reportedly rejected the likes of Cardiff City and Crystal Palace.

"When this football club came up, I had to take the opportunity to come home. It's a fantastic football club who play great football and I'm just happy here," he told Southampton's official TV channel.

"You can tell that as a club it's very, very organised. From the start, everyone I've met has been fantastic with me and shown me every single detail I need to know. The facilities are great and I can't wait to get started."

Ings could make his Southampton debut in Sunday's Premier League clash with Burnley.