THE FA’s annual report on intermediary spending has confirmed Saints’ Alex McCarthy did sign a new contract with the club, as reported earlier in the season.

The information released also revealed that Saints spent just under £5million on agent fees between February 2021 and January 2022 – only Brentford spent less in the Premier League.

The report detailing intermediary transactions identifies every deal which involved the spending of money on agent fees, including transfers in and out, and new contracts.

Listed among the likes of Adam Armstrong, Tino Livramento, Jannik Vestergaard and other deals is a payment for McCarthy’s intermediary, Adam Brown, with the transaction type listed as ‘Updated Contract’.

The Athletic reported in August 2021 that McCarthy had signed a new three-year contract at the club, although exact details are not confirmed by this information.

His contract had been due to expire this summer, along with fellow goalkeepers Fraser Forster and Willy Caballero.

Only Brentford’s total spend of £3,499,285 is lower than Saints’ £4,941,761. Burnley were third lowest with £6,005,185, with Brighton’s £6,244,039 next.

At the other end of the scales, Manchester City topped the spending with £35,046,646, followed by Manchester United (£29,036,141) and Chelsea (£28,227,858).

Listed on Saints’ transactions were 22 total transactions, including the loan and permanent transfers in of Lyanco, Armando Broja, Armstrong, Livramento and Romain Perraud.

There were new or updated registrations for Theo Walcott, Thierry Small, Kayne Ramsay and Dynel Simeu among others. Nathan Tella and James Ward-Prowse also signed updated contracts.

Intermediary fees were paid for the transfer exits of Mario Lemina, Vestergaard and Callum Slattery.

You can view the full report here.