West Ham United U23 coach Dmitri Halajko is thrilled at the way Armstrong Oko-Flex and Thierry Nevers have impressed in pre-season training after joining from Celtic and Reading respectively this summer, speaking to the Hammers’ website.
When the news broke in late-June that former Arsenal youngster Oko-Flex was heading back to London, the reaction from Celtic supporters spoke volumes.
Many north of the border were furious to learn a player with undoubted talent and potential was set to depart, having barely been handed a glimmer of opportunity during two years in green and white.
Oko-Flex, an exciting and technically gifted winger, will certainly hope chances are easier to come by at West Ham as he and fellow newcomer Nevers get used to life in the capital.
“They’ve settled in really well. They’re really getting used to how we play and what it is we expect at West Ham United, and we’re seeing that every day,” Halajko explains.
“We’ve got a great bunch of players who have made the new guys feel right at home and already, straight away, they seem integrated within the group, which is fantastic.”
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Highly rated duo Harrison Ashby (19) and Ossama Ashley (21) are also back in training following lengthy spells on the sidelines, much to Halajko’s delight.
“They’re good footballers. They’ve worked really hard in this time to get themselves back physically,” the U23 boss adds.
“They’ve come back into the group and look really strong, so we can’t wait to have them back.”
Scotland U21 international Ashby made his West Ham debut in the early rounds of the EFL Cup last season and will hope to catch David Moyes’ eye again as he returns to full fitness.
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