Martin Samuelsen has caught the eye of compatriot Havard Nordtveit.
Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara and Haevard Nordtveit, then of Borussia Moenchengladbach, in action
New West Ham signing Havard Nordtveit has told the club’s official website that he’s already struck up a friendship with teenage star Martin Samuelsen.
Nordtveit, 26, has completed a free transfer move to the Olympic Stadium this summer, having seen his contract with Borussia Monchengladbach expire last month.
Primarily a defensive midfielder, Nordtveit – formerly of Arsenal – racked up almost 200 appearances for Gladbach in an impressive spell with the Bundesliga side, and now he will be hoping to become a key member of Slaven Bilic’s team at West Ham.
A Norwegian international, Nordtveit will be familiar with West Ham teenager Martin Samuelsen, who earned his first senior Norway cap last month.
Samuelsen, who joined West Ham from Manchester City last summer, looks to be a real talent for the future having not only impressed with West Ham’s development squad, but also during a loan spell with Peterborough United last season.
A skillful, tricky playmaker, 19-year-old Samuelsen will be hoping to impress during pre-season training and force his way into Bilic’s plans for the new season – and he seems to have already caught the eye of compatriot Nordtveit.
Speaking to West Ham’s official website, Nordtveit admitted that he is from the same city as Samuelsen, and praised the playmaker for his hard work getting to this stage in his career.
Nordtveit added that everyone is liking what they see from Samuelsen in training, and tipped him for big things but suggesting there is much more to come from the teenager in the future.
“We come from the same city – well, I’m a farmer and he’s from the city!” said Nordtveit. “He got his debut for Norway in the summer and he was the youngest ever player from our city [of Haugesund] to get his debut.”
“Of course he worked hard to get where he is now and so far everyone is liking what they are seeing from Martin. He is showing some really good skills for the national team, so I think we will see much more from him,” he added.
Do you think Nordtveit and Samuelsen will become key players for West Ham?
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