Southampton confirm James Ward-Prowse has signed new long-term deal

Southampton have confirmed that James Ward-Prowse has committed his long-term future to the Premier League club.

The 20-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year deal, three years after making his first-team debut for the Saints.

"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," Ward-Prowse told the club's official website. "I fell in love with the place straight away.

"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."

The midfielder joined the club when he was eight years old.