Ward-Prowse has extended his stay with Southampton

captain

James Ward-Prowse

who had recently rejected

Aston Villa’s

£25m, has signed a new deal with the Saints that will commit him to the club for the next five years. The England international has made 323 appearances for the club, scoring 33 goals proving himself as an important part of the club.

The 26-year-old, who has been a Saints player since he was eight years old, has insisted that he is very happy with his new contract that will commit his long-term future to the 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,"

said Ward-Prowse.

"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."

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