If anyone doubted whether Saints were serious or not about their intentions to keep challenging for a top six place then those doubts have been blown out of the water by the latest announcement from St Mary's

Saints have announced that Virgil Van Dijk has signed a new six year deal with the club only a year into his initial contract signed when he arrived from Celtic at the start of the eason.

This is a big statement of intent from Saints that they intent to strive to keep on improving and bringing a trophy to St Mary's.

Speaking to the club's website, Executive Director of Football Les Reed said:

“In his first year with the club, Virgil has quickly established himself as one of the top centre-backs in the Premier League, becoming an integral part of what has been another strong season for the team. "

“At 24, and with significant European experience already under his belt, we believe he can be a key pillar in our squad for years to come, and we are delighted to have agreed this new deal with him."

“Although Virgil only joined us in September we felt it was important to strengthen our commitment and we believe this also provides further indication of how serious our ambitions are for the coming years.”

But if its a statement from the club that they mean business, its also a sign that the players believe that they do as well, Van Dijk has had a brilliant first season leading to worries amongst the fans that he would be the next target of one of the big clubs, but he has shown that he is happy at St Mary's.

Van Dijk said about his new deal.

“I’m so pleased, I’m so happy. Me and my family have enjoyed it a lot this year. It’s been amazing. It’s only positive."

“The club is growing and I definitely want to grow with them, that’s how I feel. Hopefully we can make it happen. That’s the plan, to get a lot of achievements going.”

Hopefully this is a signal to Ronald Koeman that Saints are ready to back him in strengthening the squad and that there is a big job for him here to finish.

Photo: Action Images

saintsnutcase added 19:47 - May 7 We have signed one of the top centre backs in the world for 6 years. He contributes a lot at both ends of the pitch. This is one of Saints best deals ever --- so happy!!
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pintsizedsaint added 20:47 - May 7 Wow! That's a massive signing and a massive statement. So pleased. Will do wonders with Koeman too.
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TeamCortese added 08:05 - May 8 Briliiant news!! This is really positive :)
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SaintBrock added 09:14 - May 8 The timing is the most important thing here and it looks as if Les Reed has been doing his homework. You could argue he didn't need to do a deal with VVD as he was on a 5-year contract anyway so why him and why now? In fact the situation hasn't changed at all if you think about it, it is after all only one more year. Strangely a shroud of secrecy still surrounds new contracts for Mane, Wanyama and Koeman yet Les spends the time doing this non-deal. So what's going on? Pure politics of course. Les will use Virgil's situation as leverage to encourage VVD's pals Wanyama, Bertrand and Forster to hang around here with him for a few more years, when he sits down to talk about contracts this summer. No doubt Koeman had a hand in this skulduggery.

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halftimeorange added 09:50 - May 8 You're somewhat cynical, Saint Brock but, you are correct inasmuch that this is a non-deal. It is, however, good propaganda with only a few days for season ticket renewals at the existing price. I, too, would like to see one of those "wantaway" players sign up for a few years even though we all know it means nothing these days. Or maybe that's simply me being cynical.

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SaintBrock added 16:16 - May 8 :-)
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SaintBrock added 16:17 - May 8 Am I the only one who has not renewed?
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SaintBrock added 17:46 - May 8 Watch Davo's interview. He said the signs are good that we can keep this squad together (sic: this summer). Yes he really said it.
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