Edvin Austbø - Who Are You?

Edvin Austbø is set to become West Ham United’s latest signing, with a move set to be signed, sealed and delivered before the end of the transfer window.

Just as yourself and I, who is the newest kid on the block?

Our to-be ‘Edvin’ is a 21-year-old winger, the Norwegian international who most recently sent his club, Viking FK, to the Champions League after netting against Dinamo Zagreb. He also helped the Norwegian side to their first league title since 1991, making 27 league appearances, achieving 11 G/A and being named the Eliteserien Young Player of the Year during the season.

Edvin is set to join the Hammers on a deal worth £10,000,000. The club opted for the Norwegian international over Reiss Nelson, who most recently had his contract mutually terminated at Arsenal.

The Norwegian media have been naming Edvin Austbø as an “en uslepen diamant”, meaning an ‘unpolished diamond’ in English.

He has every winger-based buzzword spoken about him but that, of course, is nothing but minimal and expected in this day and age in Football, so as a person who, respectfully, hasn’t been keeping up with the Norwegian league will focus on what is known.

The Hammers are set to secure his signature ahead of numerous other European clubs, those include: Hamburger SV, FC Copenhagen, Lille, RB Leipzig. As well as Borussia Dortmund, who were weighing up their options.

The Norwegian has already spoken about West Ham on two occasions before signing, the first one dating back to a few weeks ago.

First off, he said: I don't know how big their bid was, or how much Viking are asking for, but West Ham is a cool club and is certainly of interest to me."

“I've made it clear that I want to move on now."

After a few weeks had passed and a fee had officially been agreed, he spoke again, whilst being spotted at an airport where he outright addressed the news of an agreed fee.

“I’m leaving now, so we’ll see tomorrow” - talking about the minor negotiations.

Upon being asked why West Ham? He simply responded: “It felt right, and that’s what I wanted. So as soon as they came in the field [an option] there was no doubt on my part.”

We’ve got a young winger who is on an upward trajectory and already, before signing a contract, wants nothing but West Ham. I’m not to roll on a high horse and claim that the Hammers have the “next best thing” but back him. A winger who will build on his talent in the Championship, and the club has opted for him over a freebie - it’s a positive statement.

A backup in attack and a much-needed willpower signing to get us kickstarted.

Positives will come - time will tell.