Southampton extend contracts of two bright youngsters

Young Saints duo Jake Flannigan and Harry Lewis have both signed fresh contracts with the club, whilst the latter has also been loaned out to Dundee United.

Southampton have continued to show loyalty to their academy graduates, with 21-year-old Jake Flannigan and 19-year-old Harry Lewis both extending their stay on the south coast.

Versatile midfielder Flannigan has struggled with two knee-ligament injuries over the past couple of years, but is now part of Mauricio Pellegrino’s 28-man squad for the current pre-season camp in Austria.

His contract has been extended by six months, showing faith that the youngster can turn good this season. Flannigan previously made the bench for the Saints in a game against West Ham before all his injury troubles, so he has instead had to spend his last two seasons rehabilitating.

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Meanwhile young stopper Harry Lewis has signed a new deal that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2020, having shown promise in his first proper season for the club.

However unlike his midfield counterpart, Lewis will instead spend the upcoming campaign out on loan, with Scottish Championship side Dundee United.

At 19, the young goalkeeper still has plenty of time his refine his trade before making a stab at becoming the Saints’ number one, and a season of first-team football will do great things for his confidence.

The news of the two signings comes just a day after Southampton extended the contract of one of their experienced players in Stuart Taylor.