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Hammers snap up highly-rated youngster
West Ham United are delighted to announce the signing of highly rated striker Martin Samuelsen on a two year deal.
The Norwegian 18-year-old joins from Manchester City, where he was a member of their Elite Development Squad.
Samuelsen said: “I’m very pleased to have signed for West Ham United. I’m just really looking forward to getting started next season.
“I can’t wait to pull on the new shirt and get playing in it.”
Having impressed coaches at the West Ham United Academy while on trial at the back end of last season, Samuelsen has signed a contract keeping him in east London until June 2017, with an option to extend for a further two years.
The talented forward had been at City since 2012, and has represented his native Norway at U16, U17 and U18 level.
He continued to say, “When I was on trial here at the end of last season, I was amazed at the individual planning for each player. They have a great plan for each player. The atmosphere there is very good.
“After many conversations with Terry Westley and the other coaches at the Academy, they convinced me that West Ham was the right place to be.
“I like to get physical and I like the direct way of playing so in that way the English style of play suits me. I really like watching Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, of course but my main role model is Michael Laudrup.”
“First of all I want to play well for the U21s and get goals and assists. Overall I want to help the team do well and maybe lift the league title.
“It would be great to make my first team debut here at the Boleyn Ground. I’ve seen the plans for the new Stadium and they look amazing, it’s a very exciting time to join West Ham."
With clubs across Europe interested in Samuelsen’s signature, Academy manager and head of coaching and player development Terry Westley spoke of his delight at the capture: “Martin is a very interesting character. He can play as a No9 or No10. As a young prodigy at 14, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City were all trying to sign him.
“He’s gone through a real growth and development recently. We see the potential in this boy and we’re so pleased that we managed to persuade him to come. He had a number of Italian and German clubs interested in him yet he decided to join us.
“He massively impressed us when he came on trial late last year, he’s got great professionalism and he’s a very bright boy. He has to set his sights on impressing the new manager during pre-season and the Europa League.”
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Norsk18
Martin Samuelsen reported on Friday a contract with Premier League team West Ham.
- I am very pleased to have signed for West Ham. It looks very good, says Samuelsen to Haugesund Avis.
18-year-old is envisaged a place at West Ham U21 team next season.
Samuelsen went from Allevard to Manchester City in 2010. His contract with the blue went out after last season. In winter trained Samuelsen with Roma, Schalke 04 and West Ham.
He also had a contract offer from Schalke, but chose West Ham.
- There has been very good for my self-esteem to be desired in such good teams. The reason I chose West Ham is that it is where I feel most at home. Moreover, there is a smaller transition in terms of language and culture, says Samuelsen to Haugesund Avis. (© NTB)
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