Dusan Tadic signs a new contract which keeps him at Southampton until 2020

The Serbian playmaker had less than two years remaining on the deal he signed when he moved to Saints from FC Twente in 2014, but is now tied down until 2020.

Tadic looks like being an important player under new manager Claude Puel, who has identified him as the ideal man to play at the top of his diamond midfield behind two strikers.

Saints’ executive director of football Les Reed said: “I am delighted that we have strengthened our commitment with Dusan, and that he has added his name to the list of players to have signed new long-term contracts in recent months.

“Dusan has been an important part of our success in the past two seasons, with his creativity offering the team a valuable dimension.

“However, it is not just his ability that makes him a key part of the squad, but also his commitment, determination and focus.

“I am confident that, under the guidance of Claude Puel, he will continue to flourish and be a central component of the squad not only this season, but in the years to come.”

Tadic added: "I am really pleased. I have had two beautiful years here and a great connection with the supporters and everyone in the club – all the players and the staff.

"I am really happy that I have signed a new contract. The club showed a lot of effort to keep me. There were also other possibilities, but we recognised that the best is that I stay in Southampton, and I want to mention they put in a lot of effort for that, and I appreciate that."

Saints have already agreed new long-term deals with Virgil van Dijk, Shane Long, Ryan Bertrand, Fraser Forster, Steven Davis and James Ward-Prowse this summer.

They are understood to have also offered a contract extension to right back Cedric Soares, despite the Euro 2016 winner still have three years left to run on his current deal.

Skipper Jose Fonte has also been the subject of contract talks with Saints keen to ensure that the 32-year-old gets a pay rise to put him back amongst the club’s top earners for the remaining two years of his current deal at St Mary’s.