'For four years I felt the love' - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg thanks Saints after leaving to join Spurs

The former Saints skipper departed yesterday after four years on the south coast, having arrived from German giants Bayern Munich.

The 25-year-old's 134th and final appearance for Saints came as a substitute in the 2-0 win at Bournemouth in July.

Taking to Instagram last night, Hojbjerg said: "For four years at Southampton I felt the love from the players, staff, club and fans.

"I did all I could to return that love to every single one of you.

"Thank you and good luck. PEH."

Hojbjerg had been the subject of transfer speculation for a number of weeks, with Everton the first club believed to have met Saints' asking price of around £25million.

But the Dane held out for his preferred move to Spurs, with a deal finally struck in the past few days.

"What was very important for me was that I wanted to play in a club where I could see myself for many years and Tottenham was just the one," Hojbjerg told Spurs TV.

"I am very proud, very happy and excited. I think there is a fantastic future ahead for the club and I wanted to be a part of that so much.

"If you want to achieve the big things, I think you need 11 leaders on the pitch. To do that, everybody needs to take responsibility in their position, bringing everything they have in to the team. Whatever you put in, you get out."

He added: "Spurs has fantastic players, a fantastic manager, a fantastic set-up. One of the first things I said to my wife was one day when the fans are allowed in again, (I want) to be the first one in that stadium because it is unreal.

"The stadium is something to be proud of and the whole training ground and system, I feel lucky and proud to be a part of it and I want to give my everything. I also want to learn a lot to push for the next step and still give that consistency.

"The most important part is to be aware of what you need learn but also what are your strengths, what can you do well and what can you give to the team."