Southampton: Five of Saints’ best ever January signings

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: Billy Sharp of Southampton celebrates scoring the opening goal during the npower Championship match between Southampton and Portsmouth at St Mary's Stadium on April 7, 2012 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 07: Billy Sharp of Southampton celebrates scoring the opening goal during the npower Championship match between Southampton and Portsmouth at St Mary's Stadium on April 7, 2012 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
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8 May 1999: Marian Pahars of Southampton in action against Dean Blackwell during the FA Carling Premiership match against Wimbledon played at Selhurst Park in London, England. The match finished in a 1-2 win for the visitors Southampton. Mandatory Credit: Jamie McDonald /Allsport
8 May 1999: Marian Pahars of Southampton in action against Dean Blackwell during the FA Carling Premiership match against Wimbledon played at Selhurst Park in London, England. The match finished in a 1-2 win for the visitors Southampton. Mandatory Credit: Jamie McDonald /Allsport

Marians Pahars

The ‘little Latvian’ would have been seen as an obscure signing from Skonto Riga in 1999 but he soon became a hero for the Saints fans on the terraces.

His main contribution in the 1998/99 campaign was the brace he scored that secured Saints a 2-0 victory over Everton and safety in the top-flight for another year.

Injuries would eventually plague Pahars and limit his appearances in England, but he still produced further memorable moments when fit.

144 matches yielded 43 goals, including that famous nutmeg on Jaap Stam and finish in a 3-3 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.