Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has paid tribute to his captain Jose Fonte, who committed himself to the club until 2018 on Friday.

The defender, 31, penned a three-year extension on the South Coast, and Koeman says that the Portugal defender deserves it for his exemplary attitude toward the game.

"I'm very pleased because he's an important player for the team – he's our captain," the Dutchman told Southampton's official website.

"He has played already several years for the club and he is really feeling well in Southampton – he's a great professional and an example how you have to behave in football.

"He knows what you have to do to develop yourself, and I'm very happy that he stays for more years."

Fonte joined the Saints in 2010 from Crystal Palace.