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Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: Southampton midfielder replaced by James Ward-Prowse as captain

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Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl says there are no issues with Emile Hojbjerg being replaced as captain by James Ward-Prowse

Southampton have removed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg as captain after he made public his desire to leave the club.

Speaking in an online news conference ahead of their trip to face Norwich on Friday, live on Sky Sports, manager Ralph Hasenhuttl confirmed James Ward-Prowse will take the armband for the remainder of the season.

In January, Sky Sports reported Tottenham had made the Danish midfielder one of their top summer transfer targets.

Hojbjerg said in May that he wanted to play at an "even higher level than I am currently".

Hasenhuttl said: "No, he will not be captain. I spoke with him and we had an agreement, and made clear that if you decide not to extend your contract, you will not be captain of this team.

"I've spoken to him in the last few days and he knows that he is an important player for this club. I think we have found a good agreement."

The 24-year-old will enter the final year of his contract on July 1 and last month told German media outlet SPORT1 his desire to move on this summer.

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"I know what I want, the club knows it too," Hojbjerg said. "I want to play at an even higher level than I am currently. The relationship between me and Southampton is fantastic.

"The club gave me the platform to grow. I'm not saying 'Goodbye' and I'm focused on my club, but my goal is very clear: I want to win the Premier League and the Champions League."

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