Daily Echo:

Saints have rewarded Jack Stephens for his excellent displays in the second half of last season by handing him a new five-year deal.

The 23-year-old centre half, who joined Saints from Plymouth at 17, became a first team regular under Claude Puel, filling in ably alongside Maya Yoshida after the injury to Virgil van Dijk and the sale of Jose Fonte.

Stephens, who is now on holiday for a month after being part of the England under-21s Euro 2017 squad, is now tied to the club until 2022.

Saints vice chairman of football, Les Reed, said: “Our philosophy at Southampton is to turn potential into excellence, and Jack is somebody who very much embodies this.

“His progression, and the level of his performances, was one of the real highlights of last season, and we have been delighted with his development ever since he joined the club.

“We are extremely pleased to have strengthened our commitment with him, and we believe Jack can continue to improve here and play an important role in our first-team plans moving forward.”