On the last day of August, it became clear that West Ham are bringing in Edvin Austbø. This came after a lead-heavy start to the season after the relegation from the Premier League. Five days later, the 21-year-old scored his first goal in the Championship. The London club has followed the winger for a long time, already after 13 minutes on the pitch, the supporters got confirmation that Austbø is our guy. He left the title fight and Champions League games for the English second division, but now a potential great football adventure awaits on the ball island.
West Ham fans had seen the 21-year-old’s goal for Viking in the Champions League play-off against Dinamo Zagreb, but it was of course something completely different to see Austbø surge up in attack, place himself perfectly inside the five-metre box and broadside in his first goal in a Hammers shirt. A goal in the 87th minute to make it 2-0 that punctuated the game (ended 3-0).
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In the days after Austbø’s perfect debut, the Norwegian was hailed as a “super-sub” by several English media. Into the 77th minute, scoring in the 87th minute. This during the week after he landed in London!
The substitution has of course led several experts in England to speculate that Austbø is already knocking on the door for a place in Nuno Santo’s starting eleven.
With a win against Derby, Nuno Santo and West Ham have come together. Now three points behind Swansea at the top, the London club is back on course set for a direct return to the Premier League. Edvin Austbø has already shown he has a role in this race.
West Ham supporters already love the Norwegian player.
The supporters have been greatly impressed by his efficiency compared to his teammate Manor Solomon. It is highlighted that Austbø made more of his minutes on the left wing than has been seen offensively earlier in the game.
On supporter platforms such as Hammers News and social media, there is now a heated debate about whether Austbø has already played his way straight into the starting lineup for the next league round.
The club’s recruitment manager, Nils Koppen, receives massive praise for the purchase. Supporters hope and believe that Austbø can follow in the footsteps of other successful wingers Koppen has brought in in the past, such as Johan Bakayoko and Noa Lang.
After a tough period of relegation to the Championship, Austbø’s immediate success – along with the team’s two straight wins – has given fans the belief that the new West Ham project under Nuno Espírito Santo is really about to come to fruition.
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