(REUTERS) - Southampton have signed Argentinian striker Guido Carrillo from Monaco, the struggling Premier League club said on Thursday (Jan 25).

British media reported that Southampton, 18th in the 20-team standings, paid a club-record fee of about £19 million (S$35.3 million) for the 26-year-old who has signed a three-and-a-half year contract.

"Guido represents a very exciting addition to our attacking options ahead of the final months of the season, possessing plenty of experience at the highest level, while also having the potential and the desire to improve even further," Southampton vice chairman Les Reed said in a statement.

Carrillo joins up again with manager Mauricio Pellegrino, who he played for at Estudiantes in Argentina.

"Lots of things attracted me. I know Southampton from watching the Premier League from when I was small, I've always regarded it as the most important league in the world," Carrillo said.

Carrillo spent two-and-a-half years at Monaco, helping them win the French title and reach the Champions League semi-finals last season.

He says he has the qualities required to rejuvenate the club's misfiring attack as they bid to climb out of the relegation zone in the second half of the season.

The south coast club have struggled up front with 24 goals in as many league games and Charlie Austin, their top scorer with six goals, is out injured while fellow forwards Manolo Gabbiadini and Shane Long have contributed four goals between them.

"I'm an attacking player that can lead the line and bring others into play," Carrillo told the club's website (southamptonfc.com).

"I like to be active in and around the box to put away chances.

"I am someone that will give my all, try my hardest and do whatever is asked of me by the manager," Carrillo added.

"I will show what I am about, I think we have good players and I think we can improve things."

Southampton are winless in their last 11 league games, losing five times in that period, but Carillo believes the club can turn the corner.

"Southampton have had a lot of games in a short space of time and if you look at the table, six points separates seven or eight teams in the table," Carrillo said.

"Hopefully, we can win two or three games in a row and keep going that way."