HIGHLY-rated Saints fullback Luke Shaw has pledged his long-term future to the club.

The 17-year-old has been the subject of intense transfer speculation, with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea all interested in signing him.

But Shaw has revealed that he plans to remain a Saints player, and is likely to commit himself to a new contract when he turns 18 next summer.

That is the age at which players can sign five-year deals, as midfielder James Ward-Prowse did last year.

Shaw, who currently has a contract that runs until 2015, told the club's official website: "I have spoken with the chairman about a long term plan for me at the club.

"To put an end to all the speculation, I will be committing my future to Southampton. I’m not going anywhere.

"I think Southampton is the place to be for young kids like me. I’m playing in the Premier League for the First Team and that is all anyone wants to be doing, so I just want to carry on."

Shaw added: "If you look back over the years, Adam [Lallana] has come through the youth system and now he is the captain of the first team, and Prowsey (James Ward-Prowse) has just signed a five-year deal – and that is what I want to be doing."