Martin praises ‘leader’ Stephens
With Jack Stephens signing a new two-year contract to extend his association with Saints to 14 years, manager Russell Martin has expressed his delight at retaining the defender’s services.
Now under contract at St Mary’s until 2025, the 29-year-old has already emerged as a key component within Martin’s squad having returned from a loan spell at Bournemouth in 2022/23.
Commenting on the degender’s new deal, Martin said: “I love Jack as a character and as a player. An incredible character, a real leader and brave. Really brave. To take the ball, to want the ball, to set the team up, a platform to build off, but also brave in the way he defends and he’s just himself. I really like him and am loving working with him.
“I’m really delighted he’s signed a new contract after a difficult year last year, obviously not being here, so for that to turn around in the way it has and for him to want to sign a new contract and for the ownership group and Jason [Wilcox] and everyone to show him that love and support that they want him to be here and be part of it as much as I do, then I'm really delighted.
“For me, it’s a huge positive for the club and for us and for Jack and for the other players too. He has got a huge amount of love and respect from his teammates in the dressing room and it’s because of how he conducts himself and carries himself, so I’m delighted he’s here and he’s going to be a huge part of what we do.”
