Thanks to the loophole which means that youngsters can leave for nothing at 17, it has been a nervous wait for confirmation that Bale would be pledging his future to Saints. There had been endless rumours that Liverpool and Spurs among others, were keen to take him off our hands but the academy youngster has given the new board a lift by deciding to stay.
While not denying the rumours, Gareth explained his decision to sign:
"It was flattering to see my name linked with a few clubs - and I got a bit of stick off my mates for that. But I am very happy at Southampton and I can learn a lot more here than at any other club where I would just be a Reserve team player.
"I have the chance to be playing regularly and hopefully I can get a good run of games here. It never entered my head to go. I am just enjoying myself here and want to be part of helping the club back to the Premiership."
Theo's departure was a hammer blow to Saints and Bale leaving would have had a similar effect on morale heading into the new season. After a nervous debut, his potential was there to see drawing praise from On the Cross in the player ratings against Leicester:
"Bale - 7: Is he really just 16? Hugely promising display from the young left back. Has visibly grown in confidence since his first appearance and rarely lost the ball or was outmuscled in defence."
There were question marks over raising his profile by playing him in the first team before his playing future could be secured, but given the excellent reputation of the Saints academy, the Premiership vultures knew all about him already.
Bale featured in Saints' first pre-season game a 2-1 lost to a motivated Eastleigh side, with Bradley Wright-Phillips on the scoresheet with a neat finish over the keeper.
Glyn Snodin has indicated that there may be more good news for Saints in the next week or so with 3-4 more signings expected hopefully to fill the holes identified in the recent Squad verdict (see below).