Goalkeeper kept seven clean sheets in 18 Premier League games after breaking into the team last season to help Saints escape relegation
Alex McCarthy has signed a new four-year deal with Southampton, the club have announced.
The keeper broke into the starting lineup halfway through last season and kept seven clean sheets in 18 appearances as Saints narrowly-avoided relegation to the Championship.
McCarthy, 28, joined Southampton in 2016 but made only two cup appearances in his first season.
But after Fraser Forster‘s decline in goal, he forced his way into the side and made the spot his own, earning him a new long-term deal.
McCarthy began his career with Reading, managing to squeeze in 75 appearances for the Royals around eight loans away from the club in his seven years at the Madejski Stadium.
The stopper earned three England under-21s caps between 2010 and 2011, gaining a call-up to the senior squad in 2013 but failing to make an appearance in friendlies against Ireland and Brazil.
Speaking on the club’s website, McCarthy said: “I’m massively pleased. I had one year left on my current deal and obviously I’m over the moon to sign a new four-year deal.
“I think the club is going in the right direction. With the way we finished the season, we can take that into this one and hopefully finish a lot higher up the table. Everyone is ready to go.”
Southampton boss Mark Hughes said: “His performances last season speak for themselves, and it is clear how highly regarded he is by his teammates and also the supporters.
“It was clearly a priority this summer to ensure the commitment between him and the club was strengthened, and we believe Alex is very much in the right place to continue to grow and improve his game.”
The news will be a relief to Saints fans, who saw star playmaker Dusan Tadic leave the club on the same day.
Tadic, 29, joins Ajax in a £9.7million deal, returning to the Eredivisie four years after joining from FC Twente.
Southampton are already lining up a replacement for Tadic, having reportedly agreed a £16m fee for Basel’s Mohamed Elyounoussi.
The Norwegian winger would be Southampton’s second signing of the summer, having completed a £7m deal for Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong on Tuesday.
