Shaw pledges his future to Southampton despite strong interest from the league’s elite.
Southampton starlet Luke Shaw has penned a new five-year deal at St Mary’s to dash Arsenal and Chelsea’s hopes of signing the 18-year-old themselves.
Both clubs had been linked with the young Englishman but having come through the Saints’ youth academy and breaking into the first team only last season, Shaw decided the best decision would be to stay on the south coast.
“I’m very pleased to have finally signed it,” the left-back told the club’s website.
“I’ve been getting a lot of questions about my future, but all of the Saints fans will have known that I committed my future in January.
“I’ve been here since I was eight and I’ve loved every single moment of it. I want to stay at this Club, and signing this contract means I’m here for another five years.”
Shaw made his senior debut for Southampton in January 2012 during an FA Cup tie with Millwall, but it wasn’t until the side’s return to the Premier League that the full-back really showed his talent.
The defender made 28 appearances in all competitions in 2012/13, including 25 in the league, despite only having turned 18 and signing his first professional contract on Friday.
It was these mature performances beyond the years of the England under-17 international that alerted the interest of the Gunners and the Blues.
However, Shaw has decided that the Saints is where the left-back will gain the most experience and it is probable that Mauricio Pochettino will utilise the youngster more than Arsene Wenger or Jose Mourinho would have.
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