Former Town loanee signs new deal at Premier League rival

Former Ipswich Town loanee Alex McCarthy has signed a new two-year contract to remain at Southampton.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper was set to become a free agent, with his contract due to expire last month after helping the Saints win promotion back to the Premier League.

However, McCarthy has since penned a new deal to extend his stay St. Mary's despite being linked with interest from the likes of Liverpool and Celtic.

He replaced first-choice goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who ruptured his Achilles tendon towards the end of the campaign, keeping a clean sheet in their play-off final win against Leeds United at Wembley.

Alex McCarthy helped Southampton win promotion back to the Premier League. (Image: PA)

Overall, McCarthy has made 147 appearances for the south-coast club since arriving from Crystal Palace in 2016.

"I'm delighted to extend my stay at a club which means so much to me and my family," he told Southampton's website.

"To spend the best part of 10 years here shows how special a place it is. The end of last season will always stay with me. Helping the club get back to where we belong is what we set out to do at the start of the season and I was happy to play my part.

"I'm already looking forward to the new season and the test of Premier League football again."

In total, McCarthy made 10 appearances for the Blues during his loan spell from Reading in 2012.