Gillett Agrees New Deal At The Saints

Simon Gillett, on loan to Blackpool for two spells in 2006-7, has signed a new two year deal at Southampton.

Gillett has revealed that he actually turned down the chance to leave the Saints in January when George Burley was still in charge.

Gillett has risen through the Saints’ youth academy, but has yet to make the step up to the first team ranks having spent loan spells at Walsall, Blackpool, Bournemouth and Yeovil.

The change in management and emphasis on youth was the key to Gillett staying at Southampton, and he is now looking forward to cementing his place in the Championship side.

‘Nigel Pearson came in and gave me a chance which was more encouraging than the situation I had been in.

‘Now there has been another change of management which means everyone starts with a clean slate.

‘I feel I have been ready for a couple of years now but I have got to prove my worth and I believe I will get a chance.’