Image via Colin Smith – Wiki Commons
Luke Shaw‘s new contract with Southampton is just as important for the club as their transfer work is, as he signs a new five-year deal.
Turning 18 on Friday, Southampton took no time in waiting to keep Shaw at the club for the near future. It ends all speculation regarding a possible move for Shaw away from the St Mary’s, with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United having been reportedly chasing after the left back.
There is no denying that last season Shaw caught the eye, perhaps not by doing anything necessarily spectacular, but by being consistent at the highest level — despite it being his début season as a professional. Having played 28 times for the club last season, his future was certainly in doubt this summer, but Mauricio Pochettino‘s good start at the club appears to have continued into preseason; this move is effectively the equivalent to signing a new player. Shaw needed to be tied down at the club, before the ball could get rolling with other sides. They can now focus on building and developing a core in their squad, with Shaw one of the bright young stars.
Shaw’s second season will really give a good insight into quite how talented Shaw is. But having been called up for the England U21 squad initially this summer and given the interest from wealthier clubs, you would expect the talk has substance.
The news follows that of Victor Wanyama signing for the Saints on Thursday for £12.5 million, which could also prove to be a key signing for the club as they look to move forward.
Stowe Gregory is an English featured Soccer and Sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him or tweet on Twitter @stowegregory. Or add to circles on Google +
