Southampton defender Jose Fonte has secured his long term future by signing a new three-year contract with the Premier League outfit, which will keep him at the St Mary’s until 2018.

The Portugal international, who joined the Saints from Crystal Palace in 2010, has appeared in all of the club’s eight Premier League outings this season.

We’re delighted to announce that José Fonte has extended his contract with #SaintsFC until the summer of 2018. https://t.co/sCBSJacaLT

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) October 16, 2015

The 31-year-old was appointed club’s captain by manager Ronald Koeman last season and led guided them to a seventh-place finish, which is the highest in the history of the Premier League.

Southampton find themselves ninth in the league table, and all set to host Leicester City on Saturday.

Fonte has earned seven caps for Portugal, is set to make his 240th appearance for the south coast side when the Saints will host Leicester on Saturday.