- Youngster Martin Samuelsen returned to training with the rest of the squad on Friday
- The winger made his first senior Norway appearance this summer
- He now hopes to build upon a good season prior to the start of this campaign
The exciting winger, who received his first full international cap this summer for his nation Norway, joined up with the rest of his teammates prior to the Club’s trip to the USA.
And Samuelsen sees this pre-season as an opportunity to cement his place in Slaven Bilic’s first team squad.
He said: “I’m very excited and glad to be back. I had a nice holiday and I’m raring to go. It’s nice to have fresh kit and everything and I’m really looking forward to training again.
“Every time I train, it’s a chance to show what I can do. I’m just going to give it my all and hope for the best.
“I’ll know more about my aims for the season when this pre-season is done. My main focus is just to do as best as I can this pre-season.”
The 19-year-old enjoyed a loan spell at League One side Peterborough last season before helping the Hammers’ Development Squad to the U21 Premier League Cup title by scoring the crucial winning penalty in the second-leg shootout against Hull City.
And looking back on a successful campaign, Samuelsen wants to build on that again this season.
“Last season, I got 30 minutes at the Boleyn Ground in the Europa League and that was a big motivation for the rest of the season. I’ll hope to do that again.
“Looking at how the Club did last year, I think we can do even better this year. With some new players coming in, I think we have a strong squad and we should definitely be at least in the top six.”