Edvin Austbø has quickly gone from exciting West Ham United newcomer to a genuine option for Nuno Espírito Santo.
The 21-year-old was handed his first West Ham start in Tuesday night’s 3-2 Championship victory over Bolton Wanderers.
Austbø had only joined from Viking on Deadline Day before making an immediate impact against Derby County four days later.
Now another decision awaits Nuno before Wrexham visit London Stadium on Friday night.
Austbø rewarded after Derby impact
Austbø could hardly have asked for a better introduction at London Stadium.
He replaced Manor Solomon after 77 minutes against Derby before scoring West Ham’s second goal ten minutes later.
The Norwegian then supplied the assist for Mohamadou Kanté’s stoppage-time strike as the Hammers completed a 3-0 victory.
Sky Sports’ match commentary confirms Austbø produced a goal and an assist despite spending only the closing stages on the pitch.
ReadWestHam subsequently looked at how Austbø had already handed Nuno a major selection decision.
Nuno answered it at Bolton.
Sky Sports’ confirmed team sheet shows Austbø starting in the attacking unit alongside Jarrod Bowen, Divine Mukasa and Pablo.
West Ham’s official website described it as the winger’s full debut.
Solomon puts West Ham place under pressure
Getting into the team was one challenge.
Staying there could be harder.
Solomon was left out of the starting XI at Bolton after starting against Derby, while Joel Piroe was also among the substitutes.
Both will be pushing for recalls against Wrexham.
Bowen remains extremely difficult to dislodge, while Mukasa has become another important part of Nuno’s attacking structure.
That potentially leaves Austbø competing directly with Solomon for one of the remaining places.
The Norwegian has at least made a persuasive start.
His official West Ham profile already records one goal and one assist since his move from Viking.
He also arrived with pedigree.
Austbø scored six goals and supplied seven assists during Viking’s title-winning 2025 campaign before being named the Eliteserien Young Player of the Year.
Nuno now has the problem he wanted
West Ham did not sign Austbø merely to fill a place on the bench.
They wanted competition.
Within ten days of his arrival, he has already scored, assisted and earned his first start.
Friday will show how quickly Nuno believes he is ready to become a regular.
Wrexham arrive at London Stadium with West Ham chasing a fourth consecutive Championship victory, with the official fixture list confirming the 8pm kick-off.
Austbø has already forced his way into the conversation.
