Ward-Prowse pens new deal

James Ward-Prowse has put pen to paper on a new contract, which will keep him at St. Mary's until 2020.

The five-and-a-half-year deal means that Ward-Prowse will continue to wear the color of Southampton for the foreseeable future, having made his debut at the age of 18. He first joined the club when he was eight.

This season Ward-Prowse has made 17 appearances and should feature more regularly if Jack Cork does indeed made the move to Swansea City.

Speaking to the club's official website, the midfielder had plenty to say about the club; take it away Prowsey:

"The club is in a fantastic position and ever since I joined the club at a young age I knew it was the right place to be. I fell in love with the place straightaway."

"I've been on a fantastic journey the club has too, and it's great to extend my stay. I'm really excited for the next few years.

"You only have to look at the players we’ve produced over the last few years to see it is the right place. There’s not many clubs in the country, or the world, who give young players the chance to play in the biggest league in the world.

"I’m very fortunate that I’ve been given that chance and now it’s time to repay the faith that the club have shown in me.

"It means everything to me. The club have always done their all for me to make sure I develop not only into a good footballer but a good person and I’m very thankful for that."

Boss Ronald Koeman is equally happy with JWP's decision:

"He’s one of the young players who is developing himself in a very good way. He will be a great player,"

"It’s always good news, I’m happy that he would like to stay with us. It’s a good signal to the rest of the players. He’s one of the examples for the Academy, to the confidence of the young players."

Prose, who has been capped 13 times at the U21 level for England, will be hoping to jump into the senior squad, and will probably gets to do so as a Saint.