Jack Stephens contract ended a few days ago and with the trimming of the squad there has been much speculation as to whether he would be leaving on a free, but now we have the answer he has been given a 3 year extension.

The news that Captain Jack has been given a new contract on BBC Sport will not come as a complete surprise to most Southampton fans, but the length of it will be.

Two years ago aged 29 he was only given a two year deal and now at age 31 he has been given a contract that will carry him way past his 34th birthday.

Since he signed that contract in the summer of 2023 although he became Russell Martin's Captain, he has not exactly been a regular, in our Promotion year out of 46 regular season games he started just 17 plus another 6 off the bench, with injury, suspension and being on the bench accounting for the other 23 games he could have played, although in fairness he played a good part in all 3 of the play off games.

Last season was a similar return for Jack in the Premier League, 17 starts plus 2 off the bench, making it again another season where he was involved in just half the games possible.

This has been the case in most season for Jack at the club,, since making his League debut in January 2017, in 8 1/2 seasons he has managed just 143 League appearances plus 21 games off the bench a total of 164 games in total, if we take out the season he spent on loan at Bournemouth, he averages around 19 games a season.

That is not a figure that suggests that he is a first team regular.

But this is not the main factor, first is that we have given a 3 year contract to a 31 year old, yes perhaps it will be on drastically reduced wages, but it is hard to see where he will get in the team next season, let alone the following if we were to be promoted back to the Premier League.

It is not so much the fact that we have given him a contract, but the actual length of it, if we had given him a years extension, I could have understood it, even defended it to those who disagreed, but 3 years is just plain daft.

The there is the fact that we are overloaded in the central defensive department to start with, we need to offload players here, at a rough count including Jack, we have 9 recognised central defenders, plus a couple of others that can play in that position.

"Jack has been an important figure for the club on and off the pitch over many years," technical director Johannes Spors has said.

"We value both the quality and leadership that he brings and we see him continuing to be an influential part of the squad moving forward, so we're pleased to have reached this agreement to extend his long association with Southampton."

I can appreciate those words Jack Stephens has been a big part of this club in the past 8 years, i have been a critic of Jack over the years, but not an abuser of him, I judge him only in terms of his ability to be a first choice player in the defence, not as a squad member, this is professional football there is no room for sentiment.

I do think that Jack can play a part in the coming season, but not a part that is deserving of a 3 year contract.

I truly hope that come May 2026, I have to eat my words.

All Photos Via Reuters

Bowlercow added 16:28 - Jul 9 Totally bemused at this news Has Spors done something that means Jack will be sold for sa £2m
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Colburn added 16:43 - Jul 9 Fantastic news! We need a club stalwart to help us through what needs to be the most important rebuild in our history. We all know he isn’t first choice and doesn’t command high wages. This makes a lot of sense to me. That said, I agree that 2 year extension would have been more logical at 31. Perhaps the three years suggests he will continue after his career in some capacity at the club. You won’t find a braver defender who is willing to throw his body in front of piledrivers when others turn away and the ball deflects into the net (Aribo, Bednarek, THB to name 3 who I’ve seen shy away). We don’t see how much Jack brings behind the scenes but it’s clearly a lot!

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underweststand added 16:56 - Jul 9 As Capt. Jack has seemingly small fan club on this site, (Nick) you may need to create an extra file just for those who will be complaining about this deal for the next 3 years. However, in general I think that I'm inclined to agree with Colburn ( above)
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Monksway added 17:06 - Jul 9 Like a lot of fans, saddened by two relegations and a sketchy promotion, I'd hoped for a new start and Jack Stephens for all his commitment and decency isn't it. I really hope Edwards, Wood and Quarshie get a chance next year to begin to develop into the sort of partnership that might eventually help us thrive in the Premier League.
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mumps added 17:35 - Jul 9 We do need experience for the youngsters to look up to, although I am not sure that Jack Stephen’s can provide this. His 2 red cards last season doesn’t exactly strike me as captain material, I personally would like Edwards given the armband. Also last season he was one of our top earners on £45k per week so I hopefully the new contract is significantly less than this otherwise I think that SR have once again completely lost the plot.

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WestSussexSaint added 18:07 - Jul 9 I think Stephens is more than capable in the Championship, especially if Bednarek and THB depart as is very possible. However if the club is serious about its ambition for promotion I don’t see Stephens is able to play at PL level. For that reason a 3 year extension seems excessive, especially given his age he is hardly likely to improve.
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Saintandy66 added 18:57 - Jul 9 This just shows what complete idiots are running this club you couldn't make this up we need to move on from players like Jack Stephens what a horror show this club is.
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halftimeorange added 21:48 - Jul 9 Unless Jack is being retained for his loyalty and leadership off the pitch I cannot believe he has been given any contract extension. Am I alone in thinking his season was often marked by schoolboy horizontal passes across our penalty area, bringing threats on our goal and confusion amongst his fellow defenders. In my opinion he has never been better than a fill-in player of decent League 1 standard and if he is now expected to lead us through the upcoming season I don't see promotion beckoning. Obviously, others will disagree but, I think this news is nothing short of negative.

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SaintPaulVW added 21:54 - Jul 9 Despite most people moaning about Jack, myself included, when fit he keeps getting picked by every manager. Given the howlers we all see him commit on a regular basis, there must be something about him in training or behind the scenes for them to keep doing that,.
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KilkennySaint added 04:15 - Jul 10 Sentiment can ruin a football club. I can't understand this at all. After the shambles of last season, I needed to see the club come out and make some big decisions that showed they understood how to run a football club. Nothing against the lad, seems likeable, but I was never confident whenever he was playing. He played his part last season, making the club a laughing stock to the world, turned watching this team into a misery, not all his fault of course, but he was captain, got sent off twice in the first fourteen games and missed a lot of games through suspension. 3 year extension, not much accountability to be honest.

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UgandaSaint added 05:30 - Jul 10 Could be worse, could be a new contract for McCalamity in goal. Maybe an increased contract for Slowbone? Maybe Stephens is good at putting the cones out for training, or teaching the youngsters what not to do?
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Boris1977 added 09:49 - Jul 10 Very odd. I love the bloke for his commitment, wearing the shirt means something to him but like others he makes me nervous when the ball is anywhere near our goal which is not a great feeling to have when discussing a defender. This is odd to say the least. Rather than a playing contract maybe the club could have offered him a coaching one which would have been cheaper but retained his services off the pitch if that is where he adds genuine value. COYRs

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Kingsland34 added 14:33 - Jul 10 Fair enough he has been a committed and whole hearted player and can still add a lot as part of a squad mix across what might be several gruelling campaigns. As indeed can Alex McCarthy, who is a much better keeper than many give him credit for.
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Monksway added 18:06 - Jul 10 Also a bit concerned by his moments about having "experienced players that have been promoted" Only just!! No mention of last year's horror show. I fear that we will sell our promising youngsters and be stuck with the "experienced players" nobody else wants or can afford.
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Monksway added 10:28 - Jul 11 Perhaps it's a longer contract on much lower wages. A two year deal on higher wages would mean he'd be running down his contract next year. This way maybe he'll make a contribution this year and then be sold for a small sum to another championship/ League One side .
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mascott514 added 20:07 - Jul 11 Not the greatest defender but certainly good enough for the Championship- stepped up when we went down last time and showed he cared about being here I agree that he offers a lot off the pitch- and he's a pretty humble guy Id take him over ABK every day of the week
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WanderingSaint added 12:20 - Jul 12 "there has been much speculation as to whether he would be leaving on a free" Only in your head Nick. Great club servant, good leader, understands he's a squad player and can be relied upon to be ready & willing if called upon. Loves the club. He's currently doing his UEFA coaching badges, and this contract will see him through to retirement as a plyer. If his leadership qualities transfer into coaching/management, great. New contract a no brainer.

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