Former Portsmouth season-ticket holder James Ward-Prowse named new Southampton skipper

New Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse was an avid Pompey fan when he was younger. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

The 25-year-old from Farlington has been handed the armband by manager Ralph Hasenhuttl after former skipper Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg made public his desire to leave the club.

Ward-Prowse, who was on Pompey’s books before a move along the M27 as an eight-year-old, will captain Saints when they make their top-flight return on Friday against Norwich (6pm).

Southampton are currently 14th in the Premier League table and have nines matches of the current campaign remaining.

Former Oaklands Catholic School pupil Ward-Prowse, 25, has made 269 Saints appearances and scored 23 goals after leaving the Blues’ youth set-up, whom he represented at under-nine level.

He grew up supporting Pompey and had a Fratton End season-ticket along with his dad John and older brother Ben.

For one game, the brothers appeared as mascots, with then four-year-old James listing Andy Awford as his favourite player in the club programme.

The midfielder has made two senior England appearances after representing his country at under-17, 19, 20 and 21 level.

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

The Danish midfielder has been linked with a move to Spurs and has one year left on his St Mary’s deal.