Southampton sign Denmark international Pierre-Emile Højbjerg from Bayern Munich
Southampton FC have completed the signing of midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from German champions Bayern Munich on a five-year contract. He is the second signing for Southampton this season after the Saints added Nathan Redmond from Norwich City to their roster.
The 20-year-old Denmark international has already been capped 17 times by his country. He debuted for Bayern Munich in 2013 as a 17-year-old teenager and was the youngest player ever from the club to make an appearance in the Bundesliga.
Hojbjerg is an exciting prospect whom Southampton have been following for quite some time now. He spent last season at Schalke on loan appearing for the German side on 30 occasions. With his chances for first team football diminishing in Bavaria following the signing of Portuguese youngster Renato Sanchez, it was only logical that he found a new club.
Speaking to the club’s website following his signing, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg said: “I’m very pleased. 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,” he added.
Southampton FC’s Executive Director of Football Les Reed said: “Pierre is an exciting young talent, who we are delighted to welcome to Southampton Football Club.
“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.”
The news of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s arrival at St. Mary’s came a few hours after the departure of Italian striker Graziano Pelle to Chinese outfit Shandong Luneng. He arrived from Feyenoord in 2014 and scored 30 goals for the Saints in 81 appearances. The south coast side were quick to pounce on Hojbjerg after sensing the inevitable departure of Victor Wanyama, Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle.
Hojbjerg will now join the likes of James Ward-Prowse, Dusan Tadic and Oriol Romeu in midfield at St. Mary’s.