Matt Targett says Saints are the only club for him, after signing a new five-year contract at St Mary’s.

The teenage left-back and academy graduate has put pen to paper on a fresh deal that runs until 2019.

“I’m obviously over the moon,” he said.

“Coming up through the academy, this is the only club for me.

“I’m only going to progress at this club.”

Targett, 19, made his first-team debut for Saints earlier this season and is thrilled the club have shown so much faith in him.

“It means a lot,” he said. “Obviously, five years is a long time, so hopefully I can repay them over the five years.”

The defender, who is from Eastleigh and has been with Saints since the age of eight, added: “I grew up supporting the club, so it’s good to sign a five-year deal here.”

Targett is the latest in an impressive line of talented left-backs to emerge from the Saints youth ranks in recent times, following the likes of Wayne Bridge, Gareth Bale and, most recently, Luke Shaw.

“To know what they’ve achieved and what they’re achieving now is really good and only inspiring,” said Targett, who revealed Bale is the footballer he most looks up to.

“I never got the chance to meet him, but obviously I went to the games as a kid and saw him play quite a lot, so it’s good to see how he plays.”

Targett is also enjoying learning from Saints’ current first-choice left-back, Ryan Bertrand.

“I think Ryan helps me out a lot as a left-back,” he said. “He gives me advice and that.

“He’s obviously experienced – he’s played in Europe and stuff like that – so it’s good to learn from someone like him.”

Targett started all four of Saints’ Capital One Cup games this season, making his debut at Millwall, but has made just one Premier League appearance, coming on as a late sub in the 2-1 home win against QPR.

His first league start is almost certainly on the horizon, though.

“It will be a big couple of weeks,” he said, ahead of the Christmas and New Year schedule.

“Obviously, there’s the Chelsea game coming up and we know that Ryan (who is on-loan from Chelsea) can’t play in that, so hopefully if I get picked I’ll do a good job.

“Obviously, this season, I’ve been a lot round the first-team, which is good, I’ve played through the League Cup, which is good – getting minutes under my belt – so it’s good.”

Targett added: “It’s nice to be given the opportunity. I just need to keep on impressing when I get the opportunities.”