Football
ESPN staff 9y

James Ward Prowse signs new five-and-a-half year Southampton contract

Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract with the south coast club.

Ward-Prowse, 20, has made 12 Premier League appearances this season, creating six goals to help Ronald Koeman's side to third place in the Premier League table.

On Friday morning, sources told ESPN FC that a contract had been agreed, and the Saints have now announced that the player will stay at St Mary's until the summer of 2020.

Ward-Prowse told Southampton's official website: "The club is in a fantastic position, and ever since I joined at a young age I knew it was the right place to be. I fell in love with the place straight away.

"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."

The new deal will fend off growing interest in the England under-21 international, who made his first-team debut on the opening day of the 2012-13 season and has been at the club since the age of eight.

He played in the opening five games of this campaign before fracturing a foot against Swansea on Sept. 20. He returned to action against Burnley on Dec. 13 and has featured in every league game since then.

The Saints have won eight and drawn two of the 12 games in which he has featured, highlighting his growing impact at St Mary's.

Southampton boss Koeman said: "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, and 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, for the confidence of the young players. Prowsey developed in the academy and now he's one of the young players who plays for the first team.

"He's a good professional, always serious in his training, in his discipline -- he's a big example for all young players."

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