Toni Martinez says he is motivated more than ever to make his West Ham United first team debut after seeing fellow youngster Declan Rice play his first Premier League game last season.
Martinez, who turned 20 on Friday, spent the second half of the last campaign on loan at Sky Bet League One side Oxford United, before returning to West Ham to help the U23s clinch promotion to Premier League 2 Division 1.
His two goals in the Play-Off Final against Newcastle United capped off a terrific first year in English football for the Spaniard and he cannot wait to return for pre-season with the Hammers next week.
“I am really excited to get going again and get back on the pitch ahead of the new season,” said last year’s U23s top scorer. “I’m really looking forward to meeting all the people at the Club again, catching up with all the boys and of course seeing and meeting all the West Ham fans who were brilliant to me last season.
“Last season was a fantastic season for me. I'm happy with my adaptation, with how I’ve coped playing a different style of football in a different country and I hope this season will be even better.”
“The loan at Oxford last season definitely helped develop me. To play professional football has been really useful and important. I feel now even more ready to help West Ham United to achieve our goals.”
I'm happy with my adaptation, with how I’ve coped playing a different style of football in a different country and I hope this season will be even better.
Toni Martinez
Martinez played with Irish international Rice a number of times for Terry Westley’s U23s last year, with the latter becoming another member of the Club’s prestigious Academy of Football to make their Hammers first team debut.
Rice’s substitute appearance in the Premier League victory against Burnley on the final day of last season has given belief to Martinez that a debut of his own is just around the corner.
“This pre-season, I hope the manager counts me in with pre-season, and if he does, I’ll be really looking forward to joining up and going away with them," he continued.
“Not only that, but I hope to gain a place in the first team squad and help with my goals that I want to achieve.
“The aim for the season really for me has to be finally making my first team debut. Dec [Rice] was given his last season and that was really fantastic to see. The fact that the manager trusts Declan and potentially other young players is very motivating.
“I would love for the manager to consider me for a place in the team when he believes I’m ready.”