Lewis Payne signs new contract

By SFC Media time Thu 26 Jan Transfer News
Photo by Matt Watson | Lewis Payne

Southampton Football Club is pleased to announce that promising young defender, Lewis Payne, has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until June 2025.

The 18-year-old right-back, who has been at the club since the age of nine, has put pen to paper on his second deal after signing his first professional contract in November 2021.

Payne has enjoyed a successful season so far, making his first team debut in the Carabao Cup against Cambridge United and registering an assist for Ché Adams’s opening goal.

He’s been involved in multiple first team training sessions as well as accompanying the squad on their mid-season training camp in Spain.

CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Lewis payne during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Cambridge United and Southampton at Abbey Stadium on August 23, 2022 in Cambridge, England. (Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Payne made his professional debut this season

After committing his future to Saints once more, the regular B team captain said:

“It’s a good feeling, obviously it’s my second contract now so it’s not a place to rest. It doesn’t make me want to stop, my head is on to the next thing, the next challenge.

“Going through the academy in every age group I wasn’t always one of the better players, but now I’m starting to feel more important to the team which is good and I want to be pushing on.

“My debut came out of nowhere and that was unbelievable so that gave me a lot of confidence, and then being around the first team and getting used to the players they all helped me a lot.

“I’m going to want to start pushing up into the first team and start playing Men’s football however that is, so that’s my aim.”

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Southampton FC's Lewis Payne signs a contract extension, pictured at the Staplewood Campus on January 25, 2023 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Matt Watson/Southampton FC via Getty Images)
Payne has been with the club since nine-years-old

Academy Director, Matt Hale, further added:

“Lewis is one of those who has been involved with the first team and made his debut this season so we’re pleased to secure him for a bit longer and he deserves a new contract.

“We like to bring our players through that have been here for a long time and Lewis is a really good example of that.

“He’s a tenacious player, he’s physical, he likes that part of the game - it’s his strengths - some of his performances this season have been exceptional in the B team so we’re looking forward to him getting around the first team even more now and trying to break in.”

Related

Saints B draw Sheffield United in PL Cup last 16
chevron right
Video: Onuachu ready to make an impact
Transfer News

Video: Onuachu ready to make an impact

Watch the deadline-day signing's first interview as a Saint.

timeMon 06 Feb
Onuachu relishing Premier League physicality photo Gallery: Settling in at Staplewood
Gallery: West Ham work SFC_Camera
West Ham vs Saints

Gallery: West Ham work

Saints prepare for the trip to West Ham.

time15 hours ago
B Team Preview: Derby County vs Saints Win a tour of Staplewood training ground