Defender Jason McCarthy confirmed Friday he has penned a new two-and-a-half-year deal with Premier League side Southampton.

The 19-year-old made his professional debut in Saints' 3-1 win at Crystal Palace last December and has been involved in the first-team squad on a number of occasions.

Captain of the club's Under-21s side, McCarthy's new deal runs until 2017.

"It's great to put pen to paper," he told Southampton's official YouTube channel.

"Obviously at the start of the year I knew I was out of contract at the end of the season.

"I was pleased with my progress at the time and I think I've done well this season so far.

"I've been with the club since I was seven years old, so it really shows that I'm at the right place."

He becomes the second young defender in as many days to sign new deals at Saints, with Jordan Turnbull, currently on loan at Swindon, signing a deal until 2018 on Thursday.