Edvin Austbø has needed little time to demonstrate why West Ham United were prepared to make a major investment in the Norwegian winger.
The 21-year-old arrived from Viking on 31 August after completing what his former club described as the biggest player sale in Norwegian football history.
Austbø has since scored his first West Ham goal, registered an assist and been handed his first Championship start by Nuno Espirito Santo.
His rapid introduction makes something he said immediately before completing the transfer particularly interesting.
Austbø was never in doubt over West Ham move
Austbø left boyhood club Viking despite helping them qualify for the Champions League.
That might have made swapping European football for the Championship look like an unusual decision from the outside.
The winger saw it differently.
Speaking to Stavanger Aftenblad before travelling to England, Austbø said that “as soon as West Ham came in, I was never in doubt” over the opportunity.
He acknowledged that leaving Viking before their Champions League campaign would hurt, but felt it was the correct moment to take the next step in his career.
That confidence is already being rewarded.
Read West Ham covered Austbø’s first West Ham goal against Derby County, when he also created Mohamadou Kanté’s late strike after coming from the bench.
He followed that by earning his first start during the 3-2 victory at Bolton.
Nuno already trusts West Ham youngster
Austbø has made three Championship appearances so far, including that first start, with his early West Ham return standing at one goal and one assist.
That is encouraging given how little time he has had to adjust to English football.
West Ham did not sign Austbø purely for an immediate Championship promotion campaign either.
His four-year contract includes the option of an additional season, while his performances for Viking had already earned him the 2025 Eliteserien Young Player of the Year award.
Read West Ham recently looked at the new competition facing Austbø after his first start, with Manor Solomon among Nuno’s alternatives on the left side
That competition should only help his development.
Fulham gives Austbø another opportunity
Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Fulham could provide his next opening.
Nuno is expected to rotate before the Championship trip to Millwall, and Austbø is an obvious candidate for significant minutes.
Supporters can find the broadcast details in our West Ham vs Fulham TV channel and live-stream guide.
Austbø knew exactly what he wanted when West Ham entered the race for his signature.
Less than two weeks into his new career, his decision is already beginning to make sense.
