Spurs sign midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Southampton

The North London side have secured the Danish midfielder’s signature for about $19 million.

Tottenham Hotspur have made their first move of the transfer window, bringing in midfielder Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg from Southampton. In a separate move, Southampton have signed right back Kyle Walker-Peters from Spurs on a permanent deal after being on loan with the club since January.

The Hojbjerg deal is rumored to be around $19 million, with the Walker-Peters signing coming it at around $15 million. Immediately, Hojbjerg adds great stability to the Spurs midfield. Defensively, the Dane was very solid this past season, totaling 46 interceptions, 80 tackles and 49 clearances, all of which are higher than Liverpool’s standout midfielder Fabinho.

How will Hojbjerg fit in the Spurs side?

Hojbjerg is an extremely useful passer and dribbler. While he’ll likely sit fairly deep for Spurs, he has the ability to progress the ball into the final third efficiently. He’s an extremely smart player who takes chances when he needs to, but doesn’t often put his team in danger.

Spurs were in need of a midfielder like Hojbjerg who is defensively reliable in the midfield. This season, they gave up the sixth-most shots against per game. Eric Dier is their only other true defensive midfielder, who isn’t nearly as useful on the ball as Hojbjerg.

Jose Mourinho now has the option to deploy an extremely progressive and exciting midfield trio of Hojbjerg, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovani Lo Celso/Dele Alli. He also has solid options in Moussa Sissoko, Harry Winks and Gedson Fernandes.

Hojbjerg will be a solid defensive anchor who will allow players like Sissoko, Lo Celso and Alli to make runs into the final third and create chances for the attack. He will be great for transitioning the ball out of their own third, which is an area where Spurs struggled this season.

The Hojbjerg signing adds some much needed dependability to the side. He won’t be the flashiest player, but he’ll be there to get the job done when he’s called on.