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BREAKING: Fraser Forster signs new 5-year-deal at Southampton

By Ethan Evans

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Fraser Forster of Southampton shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on May 7, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Fraser Forster of Southampton shows appreciation to the fans after the Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on May 7, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Southampton announced on Wednesday afternoon that English ‘keeper Fraser Forster has signed a 5-year deal. This extends his stay at the south coast to 2022.

Fraser Forster joins a list of numerous Saints players to have already renewed their stay at the club. With players such as Harry Lewis, Jake Flannigan and Stuart Taylor among those that have committed their futures this Summer.

This comes after a rather unremarkable 2016/17 Premier League campaign for the Englishman who caused mass discontent amongst the fan base due to his numerous poor displays.

However, despite his poor season, he was a close contender for the Golden Glove where he accumulated 14 clean sheets. Due to his performances last season, the renewal of his contract seems to have left many of the Saints faithful confused and unhappy.

GOLDACH, SWITZERLAND – JULY 15: Fraser Forster from FC Southampton warm-up before the pre-season friendly between FC Southampton and St. Gallen at Sportanlage Kellen on July 15, 2017 in Goldach, Switzerland. (Photo by Simon Hausberger/Getty Images)
GOLDACH, SWITZERLAND – JULY 15: Fraser Forster from FC Southampton warm-up before the pre-season friendly between FC Southampton and St. Gallen at Sportanlage Kellen on July 15, 2017 in Goldach, Switzerland. (Photo by Simon Hausberger/Getty Images) /

By signing this contract, it means that Forster’s stay at the club could rise to eight years after signing for Saints from Celtic in a £10 million deal in 2014.

Many Southampton fans have fond memories of his superb 2014/15 campaign where he had a string of great performances such as Arsenal away. Also, anyone remember his stunning save against QPR at Loftus Road?

He was a contender in the Golden Glove that season, achieving 13 clean sheets. However, a horrific injury would end his season early, and plague him in the foreseeable future.

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He also gained many plaudits when he came back from injury in  the 2015/16 campaign, achieving a club record six-consecutive clean sheets in an amazing campaign for Southampton whom finished sixth and achieved a Europa League spot. However, a clean sheet would then become hard to come by with a string of individual errors from the English International.

Does he deserve it?

Whether he deserves this is another question, with the likes of Manolo Gabbiadini, Maya Yoshida and others arguably more deserving of an extension.

What’s more, the former Celtic stopper was already on wages believed to be in the region of £65k a week, and as with any contract extension it’s natural to suggest that his pay would’ve risen even more, potentially making him the club’s highest earner.

Or maybe, Pellegrino sees the old Forster slowly returning and has belief and faith in him being his No. 1 for his first season at the helm. Especially after his strong performance in the recent friendly against St. Gallen at the weekend.

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