The Norwegian arrived on a free transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach this summer.
West Ham United’s Havard Nordtveit in action with FC Astra Giurgiu’s Alexandru Ionita
West Ham United were busy this summer, and did well in the Bosman market. They snapped up both Sofiane Feghouli and Havard Nordtveit from Valencia and Borussia Monchengladbach respectively after their contracts had ended.
For the Norwegian utility player it was a chance to return to England, where he had come through the academy at Arsenal.
Of course it also gave him a chance to make more money that he would have been in Germany.
West Ham United’s Havard Nordtveit, Andre Ayew, James Collins and Dimitri Payet warm up before the match
Speaking to VG in Norway however he insisted that money played absolutely no factor in his decision to join West Ham:
“It was a dream. I did not go there because of the money. I went there because they wanted me. I talked to Slaven Bilic (West Ham manager) and he had a plan that I could never say no to.
“I came from Germany and felt that I had done most for five and a half years of the Champions League, Europa League and relegation battle. Then I would try something else.”
It came after it was reported Nordtveit is now the highest-paid Norwegian player ever.
VG report he makes a staggering amount of money at West Ham, making him the highest paid Norwegian football ever – ahead of John Carew, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and John Arne Riise.
He is nearly the highest paid Norwegian sportsmen ever, but New York Rangers Ice Hockey player Mats Zuccarello makes marginally more.
So far the player has struggled to light up the Premier League with West Ham.
Hammers fans will hope he starts earning his wages soon.
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