SOUTHAMPTON HAVE CONFIRMED the signing of Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Bayern Munich.
The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Schalke, has signed a five-year deal and becomes the Saints’ second acquisition of the summer after Nathan Redmond.
Hojbjerg joined Bayern as a teenager from Brondby in 2012 and made 17 appearances in the Bundesliga for their senior team.
“I’m very pleased,” Hojbjerg told the club’s official website. “It’s a big opportunity for me. I look forward to giving what I have and what I can to the club. They have put trust in me and I want to show them that they are not wrong.
“When I heard that Southampton came in for me I said to my people that this is what I want to do because I can see myself at Southampton, as it’s the way I like to think, the way I like to play and it fits me really well.
“I hope I can come here also and be a part of the Southampton family and give what I have to fight for the club and fight for my teammates.”
Southampton director of football Les Reed believes the signing of Hojbjerg gives his club the best group of midfielders in the Premier League.
“Pierre is an exciting young talent, who we are delighted to welcome to Southampton Football Club,” Reed said.
“At the age of just 20, he is already an established international player with Denmark and has gained significant and valuable experience while at Bayern Munich and in the Bundesliga.
“Pierre boasts an impressive pedigree, as well as a great deal of potential, and it is testament to our reputation that he has chosen Southampton ahead of other suitors as the next step in his career.
“We believe the club will be an ideal place for Pierre to continue his progression and that he will be an excellent addition to our squad.
“We now have the perfect blend of positional strength, experience and dynamic youth in our midfield slots. There will be healthy competition, but also the required depth and robustness for our challenge in the Europa League.
“I believe as a group we probably have a choice from the best pool of midfield options in the Premier League.”
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