SAINTS manager Russell Martin insists James Ward-Prowse is “really emotional” about leaving Southampton after 20 years at the club.

Skipper Ward-Prowse is set to join Premier League and Europa League outfit West Ham United and has likely played his final match in a Saints shirt.

The 28 year old has made 410 appearances for the St Mary’s side, scoring 55 goals and providing a further 55 directly in the process.

West Ham will reportedly pay a fee of around £30million to acquire Ward-Prowse while midfielder Flynn Downes, who played under Martin at Swansea, is expected to come the other way on loan.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s home fixture with Norwich City, Martin revealed: “It’s a difficult one for Prowsey as well, I think.

“Having only worked with him for six weeks, I’ve been immensely impressed with him as a person and a character – as a player goes without saying.

“We had a really good chat on Wednesday, he’s really emotional about leaving this club and it shows he cares and how difficult it will be for him if it all goes through.

“I would have liked it to end in a different way than the club being in the Championship. He has obviously been torn between wanting to be here to help get the club back to the Premier League.”

Martin added: “However, he also has real personal ambition and wants to force himself into the England squad and break some records in the Premier League.

“I think he leaves here with an incredible legacy inside the club, in terms of the relationships he has with people. The most important legacy is how people feel about you.

“He has been here since he was eight years old and I don’t think one person has a bad word to say about him, so we will miss him on and off the pitch.

“We have other guys who need to step up now and take the mantle, and we need to find the next one – he’s a brilliant example for the lads in the academy.

“The situation is what it is and we hope to have someone else come the other way as part of the deal. He goes with nothing but praise from us and from everyone.

“It’s a big change and a big moment for the club but it’s one we have to make sure doesn’t affect what we set out to do, and I know he will be supporting from afar.”