Sead Haksabanovic is softly spoken off the pitch, but the talented teenager is determined to make plenty of noise on it.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder made an exciting debut for West Ham United in the 3-0 Carabao Cup third-round win over Bolton Wanderers.
The Montenegro international caught the eye with his pace, technical ability, incisive link-up play and willingness to take on his man and, now he has had a taste of first-team football, Haksabanovic wants some more.
“I’m glad that I made my debut,” he confirmed. “I was a little bit nervous at first but I think the team took care of me.
“My first experience of English football was good. This is a big club and I want to do well, but I felt good during and after the game, for sure. I just need to keep on working hard like I’m doing now and hopefully I will take a place in the team soon.
“The crowd was crazy. I’d never played before in front of such a large crowd. I felt good because I had them behind me.”
I enjoyed the game. I had a chance to express myself and felt involved in the game
Sead Haksabanovic
While the 35,000-strong crowd gave Haksabanovic a warm welcome to the West Ham family, his parents were unable to join the applause due to an unfortunate piece of scheduling.
“My Mum and Dad were here for four days over the weekend, but they flew home on Tuesday morning because they didn’t know I would be involved in the game!” he said, with a wry smile. “I spoke to them after the game on the phone, though, and they were very proud.”
Haksabanovic may be young, but he already had 70 senior games under his belt for Swedish club Halmstads BK before joining the Hammers in August.
And that experience shone through as the Hyltebruk-born player produced a performance full of confidence and purpose on his first appearance in Claret and Blue.
The youngster has settled quickly into life in London, is improving his English on a daily basis and has been warmly welcomed into the first-team squad.
For all those reasons, Haksabanovic was fully prepared for his West Ham bow.
“I found out on Monday after training that I was playing and I couldn’t sleep that night!” he smiled, before explaining: “I’m only joking, I slept good because I was looking forward to playing!”
“I felt ready. I have been training with the team a lot and am becoming a man and a member of the squad now.
“I enjoyed the game. I had a chance to express myself and felt involved in the game, especially in the first half. I had a shot which was quite close, too. I hope to play again soon.”