James Ward-Prowse has already made 323 first-team appearances for Southampton, becoming only the 28th player in club history, and the 19th of the post-war era, to surpass 300.
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James Ward-Prowse has signed a new five-year contract with Southampton FC, reaffirming his long-term commitment to the club. Prowse who is the captain of the club put pen-to-paper on the deal, which strengthens an allegiance to Saints that stretches all the way back to when he was eight. The 26-year-old midfielder joined the academy when he was eight in a journey that saw him progress through the youth ranks, make his first-team debut at 16 and ultimately going on to captain the senior side.
“I’m over the moon. I think I’m probably the happiest man in the world right now. To come to this decision, I think has been massive and is a big step forward. To commit my future again to this football club is something I’m incredibly proud of and a new chapter begins now for me,” said the senior England international.
Ward-Prowse has already made 323 first-team appearances for Southampton. He has become only the 28th player in club history, and the 19th of the post-war era, to surpass 300. The midfielder has further contributed 33 goals, 14 of which came across the past two campaigns.
Ward-Prowse earlier this year became the first midfielder in Premier League history to complete successive seasons without missing a minute of action.
“It’s probably the first time in my career that I’ve had that link away and that talk, but I think I was very keen to sit down and talk to the club and it’s worked both ways; they’ve sat down and told me their admiration for me and the way they want me to lead the team – and this club has done so much for me, I can’t put into the words the opportunities and chances that they’ve given me and I’m incredibly grateful for the club for doing that.”
“I’m not finished yet here, I still have a lot left to give to this football club and I want to be there leading this team and ensuring I can give everything back and repay that faith the club have shown in me since I was eight-years-old,” he added.
Ward-Prowse is looking to continue his development with his future now settled. The England international expressed the joy experienced after being handed an opportunity to become the captain of Southampton.
“It’s something [being captain] that I’ve wanted since I was eight years old. I’ve always envisaged myself to be captain of this football club. It’s not as easy as I thought. There’s a lot more challenges than just wearing the armband at the weekend and being more vocal. It’s something I’m enjoying and learning about all the time. I want to be the best captain I can be for this football club and going forward, I feel that’s something I can do.”
“You always have those hopes and ambitions but never think too far ahead. You break it down into small chunks. It’s never plain sailing or on an upward trajectory, you are going to have issues along the way; playing, not playing, in favour with certain coaches and not, so there’s been plenty of challenges along the way. When you have moments like this it kind of takes you back to those sacrifices, those dark moments, and makes you appreciate the good moments. I’m sat here today a very proud man and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead,” he concluded.
