SHANE Long has signed a new two-year deal at Saints, keeping him at the club until 2022.

The striker was due to become a free agent this summer but has now put pen to paper on a fresh deal.

Long, 33, has been at the club since his £12million move from Hull back in 2014, making him one the longest-serving members of the current squad.

Long said: “I love the way the club is run, I love what the club stands for and I’m excited about what the club will do over the next couple of years.

 “I can see the club pushing up the league, back to where we all want to be, and I want to be part of that. I’m just delighted to get it done.”

By committing his future to Saints, Long has followed in the footsteps of manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, after the Austrian signed a new four-year deal on Tuesday.

The Republic of Ireland international has played over 200 times for the South Coast side and has scored 35 goals, including the Premier League’s fastest-ever strike against Watford last season.

Long found the back of the net in just 7.69 seconds to break former Tottenham defender Ledley King’s long-standing record.

Hasenhuttl made it clear that he didn’t want to discuss handing out new contracts until Saints reached 36 Premier League points.

However, the coronavirus crisis has given the club time to take a step back from the rigours of a Premier League season and look at the situation.

Talking about Long’s extension, Hasenhuttl said: “Shane is an outstanding professional. He has been an important player for me and I know also for the managers before me.

“He has scored some big goals for us and helped to create many more for his teammates too. I think that is one of his top qualities.

“He is a great team player, and someone who has a positive impact on the group as a whole when he plays.

 “He is also a player who sets the right example for our youngsters to follow in how he conducts himself on and off the pitch, so this is good news for us that we will have him as part of the squad for another two years.”