Don't wait 30 years - sign up for our daily football email newsletter today! Sign up Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

(Image: GETTY)

The midfielder, who has captained the England Under-16 age-group side, put pen to paper on the pro contract this morning.

Flattery begun a two-year scholarship with the Saints in July but couldn’t sign the professional agreement until today - his 17th birthday.

Slattery was a regular for Southampton’s Under-18s last season, making 25 appearances and netting three goals.

He also made his development squad debut last season, coming off the bench during an Under-21 Premier League Cup victory over Norwich at the age of 15.

Southampton’s executive director of football Les Reed said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Callum to follow in the footsteps of a long line of homegrown players at this club.

“Callum has demonstrated the desire and talent to strive for first-team football at Southampton.

“He knows this will require the same level of hard work and dedication previous demonstrated by the likes of Gareth Bale and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and more recently by fellow midfielders James Ward-Prowse and Harrison Reed.

“Following the signing of two young foreign talents, it is important that we continue to demonstrate that homegrown players remain a priority at this club and the pipeline is still flowing.

“Callum has the correct profile to follow the pathway to the first team we have created – he has been brought up in ‘the Southampton Way’.“