Irish schoolboy Stephen Delaney writes adorable letter urging Shane Long to stay at Southampton

Stephen Delaney, from Cork, became worried his idol would leave when Ronald Koeman quit for Everton last month.

He expressed his fears during a handwriting session at school and asked whether Long was happy with his teammates.

Scroll down to read Stephen's letter in full

The letter was tweeted by dad Terence after Stephen took his work home from school for the summer.

"When I read the letter here at home, I will be honest for you, I felt the heartstrings," Terence said. "There was just such innocence."

Stephen met Long last month at Fota Island Resort in Cork, where the Republic of Ireland squad was preparing for Euro 2016.

"You could hardly get a word out of his mouth," Terence said.

"He's obsessed."

Terence has been a Saints fan for 35 years despite being Irish born and bred.

He pens a weekly column on the club for the Cork Evening Echo.

Father and son have travelled to watch Saints twice in the last two years, watching the team beatn Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in successive seasons.

Stephen's letter was written before Sadio Mane's departure for Liverpool.

But Saints are hopeful his wish for Long to stay will be fulfilled.

The striker was linked with moves to Leicester City and Tottenham earlier in the transfer window but appears to be happy at Saints.

He has made 70 appearances for Saints since signing in 2014, scoring 20 goals.

Long has been a key player for Ireland in the run-up to the Euros. He started all their games at the tournament but failed to get on the scoresheet before their elimination by France.