13.05.2016 13:18 h

Saints duo Forster and Ward-Prowse sign new deals

Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster and midfielder James Ward-Prowse have signed new contracts, the English Premier League club announced Friday.

Forster, who is set to be named in England's Euro 2016 squad on Monday, has committed himself to five more years at St Mary's, while Ward-Prowse has signed on for a further six seasons with the Saints.

The pair have followed defender Virgil van Dijk in prolonging their time at Southampton, with the Dutchman signing a a new deal that will see him stay with the south-coast side until 2022 during the past week.

Forster joined the Saints from Scottish giants Celtic in 2014 and has since become one of the leading goalkeepers in the Premier League.

This season saw the five-times capped Forster set a new club record of going more than 700 minutes without conceding a goal.

"I'm delighted," Forster, 28, told Southampton's YouTube channel. "It's been another good year for the club and I think there's real ambition around the place and it's good to be a part of it.

"To commit and sign a new deal is unbelievable and I'm just looking forward to getting started again.

"Every player wants to keep moving forward in their career and for me especially I'm very ambitious, and I think at this club there is that real ambition and desire to keep moving forward and improve year-in, year-out.

"If you look at just last week with Virgil signing his new deal, that was obviously positive news and after last year and then this year it's obvious things are moving forward and hopefully we can keep doing that in the future."

Ward-Prowse, who came through Southampton's academy system and is now England Under-21 captain, added: "I'm delighted. When I knew I had the chance to extend my stay here it was a no-brainer for me.

"It's pleasing that the club have shown that they have faith in me to extend my stay and I want to repay the faith to the club for putting their time and effort into making me the player I am today."

Southampton head into thir final Premier League match of the season, at home to FA Cup finalists Crystal Palace on Sunday, seventh in the table and with a chance of qualifying for the Europa League.