Southampton have announced that the club has ‘reached an agreement in principle’ with Theo Walcott to make his loan deal permanent at end of season.
Walcott has scored three goals in 20 league appearances for Southampton this season, having re-joined his boyhood club on loan from Everton and will now sign a two-year contract to keep him at St Mary’s Stadium until June 2023.
This decision comes as his current contract at Everton expires on 30 June, where the England international has scored 11 goals in 85 appearances across all competitions since joining the Toffees in January 2018 from Arsenal after 12 years in North London.
Speaking on his decision to sign a permanent deal, Walcott said; Southampton is a club that means so much to me, and it has been incredibly special for me to have spent this season back at St Mary’s.
“But to now have the opportunity to return for a further two years means such a great deal to me, both personally and professionally.
Walcott also paid tribute to his Everton teammates, commenting; “I would also like to say thank you to everyone at Everton, who have been so good to me throughout my time with the club, and I wish them every success in the future.”
This deal now brings Walcott’s playing career full-circle, having first made his debut for Southampton in August 2005 at just 16 years-old, albeit in the Championship after the Saints were relegated from the Premier League at end of the 2004-05 season.
Saints manager, Ralph Hasenhuttl has praised Walcott for providing “a very good influence” on the club whilst maintaining a “very professional” approach and has created “a very positive impact not only on our young players but on the dressing room as a whole.”
On what he expects from Walcott in terms of impact as Southampton look to make further progress, Hasenhuttl said; “I think he is a player who can continue to help us in these next two years, so I am pleased that he has agreed to stay with us.”
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