JAMES Ward-Prowse has officially completed his transfer to Premier League side West Ham United.

The 28 year old, who had three years left on his contract, has joined the Hammers after 20 years at Saints

West Ham are long-term admirers of Ward-Prowse having previously had a number of bids rejected for the Southampton captain this summer.

West Ham have reportedly paid a fee of around £30million in order to sign the England international.

Flynn Downes, who played under Martin at Swansea City, is also expected to come the other direction on loan.

Saints had previously rejected bids of similar total value from West Ham but this deal is likely to include a more favourable structure with increased up-front payments.

Having joined as an eight year old, Ward-Prowse rose through the club's youth ranks to make his senior debut during the 2011-12 season.

He has since made 410 appearances for the St Mary’s side, scoring 55 goals and making 54 assists - including setting up Che Adams' winner on the opening day of this season against Sheffield Wednesday.

Speaking last week before the move was complete, Southampton boss Russell Martin revealed that it's been a tough decision for Ward-Prowse to leave the club.

He said: “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.”