Matt Targett: Southampton defender signs new deal
Last updated on .From the section Football
Southampton defender Matt Targett has signed a new five-year contract with the Premier League club.
The 19-year-old came through the club's famed academy and has made five appearances for the Saints this season.
"I'm obviously over the moon to finally put pen to paper," Targett, who made his Premier League debut against QPR on 27 September, told BBC Radio Solent.
"Coming up through the academy, this is the only club for me and I'm only going to progress at this club."
He made his first-team debut against Millwall in the League Cup and, with first-choice left-back Ryan Bertrand unable to face parent-club Chelsea on 28 December, could be in line to face the Premier League leaders.
"It's a big couple of weeks coming up with the Chelsea game," he said. "We know Ryan can't play in that so hopefully I can get picked and do a good job.
"This season I've been in the first team, now is the time focus on the football and try and get that left-back spot. Ryan helps me out a lot as a left-back, he is experienced and it's good to learn from him."
Manager Ronald Koeman said Targett's new deal was a good sign for the future of the club.
"We are happy he signed a new contract," Koeman told BBC Radio Solent. "He is young and talented. He plays left-back and normally it is a difficult position.
"Hopefully if we keep Ryan we have two good players in that position. He has to develop but will get the chance to do that and it's a good signal that young players like to stay at Southampton."
