He was looking to hang up his goalkeeping gloves after an illustrious career with his Swedish club Helsingborgs, and reveals: "I said I would stop playing at my Swedish club but if something interesting came up I would consider it.
"I think West Ham is something very interesting, and it was a big shock - but a pleasant surprise.
"I was going to start working as a coach in January but that is something else; I think it will be until the end of the season if I come to West Ham."
He does not yet know for certain if Glenn Roeder will take him, and adds: "We will see; I haven't spoken to them yet about the future but I have trained with Ludo for a couple of days, and I have a ticket to go back home to Sweden on Sunday.
"We were talking about me coming over this week about 10 days ago, and that was okay with me."
He knows that if he is successful on trial he faces stiff competition for a first team place, and says phlegmatically: "We have English football on television in Sweden so I have seen Shaka Hislop and David James a lot.
"I will just do my best, the job I am supposed to do, if I come over."
And, comparing what he has seen of West Ham with Helsingborgs, he says: "The club is much bigger, with bigger resources and everything is on a different scale, with much better players here.
"I think there are a lot of good players at West Ham, though it is hard for me to say how good compared with other clubs in England."
With Steve Bywater out with an injured wrist, and Craig Forrest receiving chemotherapy treatment following an operation for cancer, Sven could be the ideal man to complete the triumvirate of custodians that Glenn insists is vital at a Premiership club.