New West Ham signing Ashley Fletcher targets Premier League first team spot after debut goal

Tom Dutton20 July 2016

New signing Ashley Fletcher hopes to break into the West Ham first team this season after scoring on his debut against FC Slovacko on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old rose to meet Domingos Quina's cross as the Hammers forged a two-goal lead in Austria before surrendering the advantage late in the second period.

Fletcher arrived from Manchester United on a free transfer earlier this month to become Slaven Bilic's fourth signing of the current transfer window.

“It’s nice to get off the mark,” he told West Ham's official website. “Ultimately we are a bit disappointed not to get the win tonight, but it’s pre-season and we go again tomorrow.

“It was a great ball from Dom. I’ve always been told to go and attack the ball and luckily I got my head on the ball and put it in the goal.”

And the striker is targeting a spot in Bilic's first team next term as the Hammers prepare to move into the Olympic Stadium.

He added: “The senior players have helped me to settle in. We have a great group here and hopefully we’ll kick on.

“My aim has to be to break into the team. It’s a very talented team and one that is going to be competing at the top of the Premier League, so for me it will be vital to keep showing myself I can do it.”

Fletcher's first chance to feature for Bilic's side in their new home will come against either Shakhtyor Soligorsk or NK Domzale in the Europa League third qualifying round on August 4.

And the England Under-20 international hopes to make an impression on West Ham boss Bilic during the remaineder of West Ham's tour of Austria as he spies a spot in the Croatian's European squad.

“I am looking forward to the games now, they’re coming thick and fast. It’s good that we’re getting a run of games and getting the fitness as well," Fletcher said.

West Ham 2016/17 pre-season fixtures

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“It’s a target for me to try and break into that [Europa League] squad. Like I say, it’s a very talented squad, and all I can do is keep trying to impress the manager and the coaching staff, and keep trying to score goals.”

West Ham face Rubin Kazan on Tuesday before concluding their time in Austria on Saturday against Karlsruher SC.

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