SAINTS new boy Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg fulfilled a dream by moving to the Premier League - after heeding the advice of Denmark teammate Kasper Schmeichel.

The 21 year-old midfielder will make his Saints debut against Watford on Saturday, grateful for the recommendation from Schmeichel, goalkeeper of Premier League champions Leicester City.

He said: "Kasper really recommended [the Premier League], he said it’s a good move but that it’s up to me- that no-one will train for you, nobody will work for you. You will do it.

"He really likes it, but of course he just won the league!"

Hojbjerg grew up watching the Premier League on television as a schoolboy in Denmark.

"It has something no other league has," he continues. "This is a dream come true but there's a long year to go."

Hojbjerg arrives with more experience than most 21 year-olds after three years at Bayern Munich, the last of which he spent on loan at Schalke.

"I came to Bayern at 16, it was a bit like home in the end. But that’s football.

"I wanted to make the next move, the next step and they accepted it.

"It was all peaceful and respectful. It was good."

Saints are sure to benefit from the £12.8m signing's three years under the tutelage of new Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

"He has a special way of thinking about football and of course I learned that. It was important for me to get that school of his and I think that will help me for the rest of my career."

Guardiola rated Hojbjerg so highly he once likened him to Sergio Busquets.

"He's a very good player, one of the best in the world, but I'm Pierre - I want to make my own story. The first chapter is the Premier League and Southampton. Let's see how it all goes."

Hojbjerg has already settled well.

"I’ve learnt a lot already," he said. "Every club is different. Everyone has their own way of doing it and I really like how it is in Southampton.

"The stadium is beautiful and the training ground is excellent - it’s everything we need.

"The coaching staff and players are all very focused on what is important and that I like, to improve all the time and really focus on the real things.

"I like the whole set-up about the club and look forward to developing and good experiences.

"Hopefully we will all grow and do our best. The team has done a good pre-season and training is going really well. We will keep on going."