Glenn Hoddle's new contract announce-ment overshadowed a second and equally important boost to the club's future.
Saints have agreed a major new sponsorship deal with current backers Friends Provident.
They will have their name on the shirts for another three years and have secured naming rights for the new ground for five years. It will be called the Friends Provident Stadium.
It is thought the package is worth around £3 million for the first three years and that could rise as high as £5 million if the financial services firm extend the shirt sponsorship deal.
Saints are likely to field a largely under-19 team to take on a Hampshire senior representative side in a friendly at Staplewood tonight (7.30pm).
Southampton Schools under 15s entertain Vale of White Horse in the annual George Reader Challenge match at The Dell tonight (7.30pm)
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