Southampton’s Academy graduate, Will Smallbone had signed a new four-year contract at St Mary’s. The 20-year-old midfielder will now remain with the Saints until the summer of 2024.
It will also mean that Smallbone would have stayed with the club for the last 16 years. The Republic of Ireland youth international, has been with Southampton since the age of eight before breaking into the first team after making important inroads with the youth team. Willbone made his senior debut for Southampton in the FA Cup third-round tie against Huddersfield, in January.
He started in and scored in that game as the Saints cruised to a 2-0 win at St Mary’s. The midfielder continued to rise in meteoric fashion at St. Mary’s and has now established himself in the first team.
He made his Premier League debut in February as Southampton beat Aston Villa 2-0. The Southampton manager, has voiced his sentiments following the decision between club and player to extend their alliance by another four years.
“Will is a young man who is part of the future of this football club,” Hasenhüttl said via the club’s official website.
He has made some big steps this season, and he is someone who has a lot of potential to continue to grow as a player.
“This is the right place for him to continue to do this. “He has shown in our training sessions and under pressure in matches that he can play, and he is also someone who understands our philosophy as a team and a club. “He knows where and how he needs to improve his game, and I think that, together, we can develop him a lot in these next few years.” Will Smallbone also discussed the rationale behind his decision to stay on at St. Mary’s.
“I’m very happy. I’ve been at the club for a long time now, so to commit my long-term future, for another four years, is very special for me,” he said. “To see the manager sign a new contract was big for me too. He’s given me a chance this season to, firstly, be in and around training with the squad and then actually give me my chance in the games to play and show what I could do, so that’s a big factor in me committing as well.”
