West Ham have completed their third signing of the summer, with the addition of Martin Samuelsen from Manchester City.
The 18-year-old attacking midfielder can play behind the striker, and also from wide areas.
The Norwegian has represented his country at U16, U17 and U18 level, but his contract with the Sky Blues had expired this summer.
Samuelsen had been a part of the club’s academy since he was 14 after signing from Haugesund, when City won the race to sign the talented teenager after he spent time training with Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.
He joins a developing youth system at West Ham, and is tipped for big things, but is looking forward to his new challenge.
“I’m very pleased to have signed for West Ham United. I’m just really looking forward to getting started next season.
“I can’t wait to pull on the new shirt and get playing in it.” he told the official site.
He impressed on trial towards the end of last season with the U21s, and has signed a two-year deal, with an option of an extra year.
Head of Youth Development Terry Westley had this to say about the talented youngster.
“Martin is a very interesting character. He can play as a No9 or No10. As a young prodigy at 14, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City were all trying to sign him.
“He’s gone through a real growth and development recently. We see the potential in this boy and we’re so pleased that we managed to persuade him to come. He had a number of Italian and German clubs interested in him yet he decided to join us.
“He massively impressed us when he came on trial late last year, he’s got great professionalism and he’s a very bright boy. He has to set his sights on impressing the new manager during pre-season and the Europa League.”
Here’s a video from 2012 featuring some flashy moments with the Manchester City U16 squad.
