SAINTS forward Che Adams insists the club and city will "always play a part" in his life and the lives of his family.
The 27 year old is out of contract this summer and has so far not signed a deal offered to him by Saints last year.
Adams has always reiterated his focus is purely on completing the season and helping them get back to the Premier League.
The striker arrived from Birmingham City five years ago and became a father for the first time in 2022 while living in Hampshire.
His future remains unclear with just 10 league games to go, but his 10 Championship goals have helped the club stay in reach of the top two.
Speaking to the Saints matchday programme, Adams said: "When your kid is born there and you've had most of your life and your football down there, it's always special.
"Southampton will always play a part in our lives and especially my daughter's life. A club like Southampton is a Premier League team.
"Any team that's come here this season can see how well established and how big the club is, in terms of fanbase and in terms of the staff around the place as well.
"It's a Premier League club. For me personally, it's just about - and I said it in a statement at the end of last season - getting the club back to where it should be again because that's where we deserve to be."
He added: "In this league it's relentless. We have to keep winning games and keep building. Momentum is going to be huge.
"We've seen with the previous 25 we went unbeaten so there's no reason why we can't do it again. Every game is going to be massive and we can't afford to drop points."
Adams was among a faction of players who sank last campaign with the club hurtling towards inevitable relegation out of the top flight.
He scored as many goals in five EFL Cup matches as he did in 28 Premier League appearances (five) while big misses blighted his record.
"Last season, I've said it in past interviews, was one of the hardest I've been involved in," he reflected.
"For Russell Martin to come in and turn things around, it's just a completely different club and different vibe as well. Everyone can see it.
"The environment is so good - everyone's laughing, everyone's joking, but in a serious way.
"It's credit to the gaffer and the coaching staff for creating that buzz again around the training ground and the city."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here