SAINTS have been handed a huge boost with Ryan Bertrand putting pen to paper on a new five-year contract.

The England international has been exceptional since his £10m switch from Chelsea in February 2015 and Saints have acted to nail down the 26-year-old until 2021.

Bertrand joins a growing list of player to commit their long term future to Saints. 

Central defender Virgil van Dijk, James Ward-Prowse, Steven Davis and fellow Three Lions international Fraser Forster have also signed new lengthy deals at the club.

The left-back joined Saints initially on loan in July 2014, before a permanent deal was struck for the Champions League winner early last year.

His performances since he arrived at St Mary’s have propelled Bertrand back into the England limelight, along with establishing a reputation as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League.

Last season he also had a spell playing in central defence, adding further versatility to his game, and has become one of Saints’ most indispensible assets.

On the back of a fine season, which included 34 appearances for Saints, Bertrand was included in England’s team for Euro 2016, playing once in the tournament in the 0-0 draw with Slovakia.

Bertrand’s new deal will hand new Saints manager Claude Puel another boost as he prepares for a big season in the Premier League and Europa League.

Saints have had a busy few days with Graziano Pelle departing for China in a £13m deal and Bayern Munich midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg joining in a £12m deal, becoming their second signing of the summer after Nathan Redmond’s £10m switch from Norwich.

Executive director of football Les Reed said Bertrand’s deal is just as encouraging as the club’s recent new signings.

He said: "Signing new players is always exciting and we are delighted with our two summer signings so far, Nathan Redmond and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who will bring special attributes and strength to our squad. I am equally excited by the commitment shown by our existing stars and those who signed long-term deals last year, thus strengthening the core of the squad.

"Ryan Bertrand has been an integral part of our success since joining in 2014 and has developed as a top Premier League and international player, but he also brings great leadership qualities to the club both on and off the pitch and is a real winner.

"Signing our key players for the long-term is an indication that the squad believes there is more to come and they want to be part of the journey. I know Ryan really believes this, and with him as part of the driving force behind our team I am confident our future is bright.

"Our young players will have an opportunity under our new manager, Claude Puel, but they will also need, and benefit from, the guidance and mentoring from players like Ryan."

Bertrand said: "I'm very pleased. It's been a fantastic move for me since the day I came to this club and I look forward to many more successful years and really pushing forward.

"I've enjoyed my football here. I've really enjoyed the club, and the fans have been fantastic with me personally as well, so I couldn't think of any better place to play football and to keep on developing.

"The club is always thinking forward and I really want to be a part of that, and I am sure we can go on to achieve even better things.”