Saints' new owners have moved quickly to signal their intentions by offering club captain Kelvin Davis a new three year deal…
The out-of-contract fans favourite looked set to be forced to move away from St. Mary's after the protracted takeover talks of the club meant he was running out of time to secure a new deal.
Yesterday's purchase of the club has, however, transformed the outlook at St. Mary's and Davis was first on the list to sign a new deal that will keep him at Southampton until the end of the 2011/12 campaign.
With negotiations finally concluded in the last few minutes at St. Mary's, the 32-year old keeper has sensationally turned down the opportunity of playing Premier League football to be a part of new owner Markus Liebherr's plans.
Deservedly crowned last season's Player of the Year, Kelvin Davis has made no secret of the fact that he was desperate to stay put on the south coast if at all possible, but with no one in place to negotiate with he seemed destined to switch clubs, with West Ham United leading the chase for his signature.
The Bedford born shot stopper joined Southampton for a seven figure fee back in 2006 from Sunderland and has since gone on to amass over 120 appearances for the south coast club.
His capture is a major boost ahead of the start of the new campaign and Saints fans will be able to breathe a sigh of relief in the knowledge the Super KD's going nowhere!
Davis was delighted to have been able to remain at St. Mary's and gave his first EXCLUSIVE interview to www.saintsfc.co.uk
"I woke up this morning a very happy man!" Davis said. "I had a decison to make yesterday after being contacted by the cluub and I am delighted to be able to stay and be a part of the new dawn at Southampton.
"The decison for me was between the opportunity of first team football at Southampton or the chance to play Premier League football and I have made my choice to stay at St. Mary's.
"After speaking with Gianfranco Zola and Ludo Miklosko at West Ham, they were both very understanding of my position and I hold them both with the utmost respect.
"I got the call yesterday and the new people at Southampton were quick to offer me a new contract and were very clear in what they want to achieve for the football club.
"I always said from the end of last season that League One football does not scare me and I obviously feel that I am as responsible as anyone for the club's position.
"We will now all work together to towards building a brighter future. I won't happen overnight, but we can start the building process to make this club great again."
