Fulham have brought in Southampton left back Matt Targett on loan until the end of the season.

The former England under-21 international, who was on the bench when the Saints knocked the Whites out of the FA Cup earlier this month, has moved to Craven Cottage until the end of the season. Targett, whose two appearances for Southampton this season came either side of Christmas, is delighted to have made the move and hopes to help Slavisa Jokanovic’s side move into the top six this weekend at Barnsley.

I’m really happy to be here. I am looking forward to helping the side push on to the play-offs.

One of the main reasons I joined is that club is in a great place at the moment and the results have been fantastic. I can’t wait to be a part of that. I am very excited to make my Fulham debut and the most important thing is that we pick up the three points when I do.

Targett, who signed for Southampton’s academy at the age of eight when the south coast club’s youth development was overseen by Fulham’s current academy supremo Huw Jennings, made his senior debut against Millwall in the League Cup in 2014. The 22 year-old was named Southampton’s young player of the season in 2015 and has made 42 appearances, including featuring in the Europe League, over the past three and a half years. His arrival could facilitate Ryan Sessegnon, who started the season at left back, moving forward to the left wing position where the teenager has proven so devastating of late.

Targett – a good striker of a dead ball who scored decisive penalties for the England under-20 in two 2013 shoot-outs – was part of the England under-21 squad that won the prestigious Toulon tournament in 2016 alongside Fulham striker Cauley Woodrow. The Eastleigh born defender also won the Premier League Youth Cup with Southampton’s under 21 side in 2014-15.