David Moyes has sanctioned the outgoing loan deal for West Ham United’s under-23 player Martin Samuelsen. The 20-year-old has been impressive this season while playing for the under-23 side and has earned his reward with a loan spell at Championship side Burton Albion. He is likely to be involved directly with the first team from the very beginning and given Nigel Clough’s men dire position in the league, Samuelsen will have a real chance to showcase his talent and help the Brewer’s out of the relegation zone.
“He’s a full Norwegian international,” said the Brewers boss.
“He plays a variety of forwarding positions. We nearly got him last season, at the start of the season. He had a successful loan spell out at Peterborough in League One, it didn’t work out at Blackburn last season for him. But he’s got himself fit now after an illness in the summer and he is raring to go.”
“He will just bring something a little bit different in the forward positions. He’s more of a midfielder or wide man, but he can play up there. He is six foot two and he’s not bad in the air, but he is more a skilful player. Usually, you think of small skilful players, but he is very comfortable on the ball. I would say that is his main strength, his creativity.”
“That’s what we’ve brought him in for, to be involved. He’ll be straight into the squad – he’ll take Will Miller’s place in the squad,” who was ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Burton who had chased the player previously in the summer of 2016 was finally able to complete the deal this time around although they had to wait till the third round replays of the FA Cup were over. The former Manchester City youth product has an impressive attacking side to his game, something Burton Albion will be desperate to make use of given their terrible form in front of goal. The Brewers have scored a paltry total of 21 goals in 27 games, the second least number of goals scored in the league.
The player’s first statement upon his arrival was “I’m an attacking player I like to score and assist goals and do the hard work.” It is surely going to get the Brewers fans excited to see the 20-year-old Norwegian international in action.
