Southampton have agreed a deal with Vitesse Arnhem to sign the defender Alexander Buttner. The 23-year-old has been regularly linked with a move away from the Eredivisie club this summer, with Fulham, QPR and Werder Bremen among those reportedly interested. However, Buttner expressed his desire to join the Premier League club this week and Vitesse have announced that a deal has been agreed.

Buttner, who will now have a medical, can also operate at right-back. He came through the youth system at Vitesse and made 107 appearances after making his debut during the 2007-08 season, scoring 10 goals.

Buttner particularly impressed last season and was named in Holland's provisional 36-man squad for Euro 2012. The defender did not make the final cut but will be buoyed by the fact he has got the move to Southampton he wanted.

"It would be a very big disappointment if this did not happen," Buttner said of his protracted move earlier this week. I'm in Southampton and everything is perfect. The club, the stadium and the reception really surprised me. Beautiful. And Southampton's ambitions – with the new investor they want to be chasing Manchester City."