James Ward-Prowse signs new five-year deal at Southampton

Club captain James Ward-Prowse has put pen-to-paper on a bumper new five-year deal at St. Mary's Stadium, following much speculation surrounding his future.

The midfielder had been the subject of a £25m bid from Aston Villa earlier this summer - a bid which was quickly rejected by Southampton.

And now, the Saints have been able to agree terms on a new contract for the 26-year-old.

Speaking in a press release from the club, Ward-Prowse stated that he was delighted to commit his future to his boyhood club:

“I’m over the moon. I think I’m probably the happiest man in the world right now. To come to this decision, I think has been massive and is a big step forward.

“To commit my future again to this football club is something I’m incredibly proud of and a new chapter begins now for me. 

“It’s probably the first time in my career that I’ve had that link away and that talk, but I think I was very keen to sit down and talk to the club and it’s worked both ways; they’ve sat down and told me their admiration for me and the way they want me to lead the team – and this club has done so much for me, I can’t put into the words the opportunities and chances that they’ve given me and I’m incredibly grateful for the club for doing that.

“I’m not finished yet here, I still have a lot left to give to this football club and I want to be there leading this team and ensuring I can give everything back and repay that faith the club have shown in me since I was eight-years-old.”