Jussi Jaaskelainen has revealed that the chance to work under Sam Allardyce was one of the main reasons behind his switch to West Ham.
Hammers new boy ready to fight for No.1 spot
Jussi Jaaskelainen has revealed that the chance to work under Sam Allardyce was one of the main reasons behind his switch to West Ham.
The Hammers agreed a deal for the goalkeeper last month after he decided to bring a 15-year spell with Bolton to an end.
Jaaskelainen was managed by Allardyce for much of his time at the Reebok Stadium and had no hesitation in accepting the opportunity to work with him again.
"I'm absolutely delighted to be here under Big Sam again, having worked with him before for a few seasons," Jaaskelainen told West Ham's
official website before jetting off with the rest of the squad on Monday morning for a pre-season training camp in Austria.
"It happened very quickly because when my agent said that West Ham were interested I told him to sort it straight away because I know how Big Sam works, how well he looks after the players and how good his backroom staff are. They were the factors behind why I wanted to come here.
"He brings certain routines and that makes it a lot easier."
Determined
Jaaskelainen was dislodged as Bolton's first-choice keeper by Adam Bogdan last season and he is ready to compete for a place at Upton Park.
"At the start of pre-season, all the goalkeepers are in the same place, but obviously I want to go and get that No.1 place and keep that consistent level I have done over the years," he added.
"Pre-season is a little bit different this time because I didn't play any games this year [for Bolton], so all off-season I've been looking forward to coming back and training again.
"Normally in the off-season you're tired from playing all season, but this year is a little different so I'm pleased that we've started a week earlier than the other teams.
"We have seven or eight weeks before the season starts so we should be well ready when it does."
Jaaskelainen hopes to play at West Ham for at least a couple of years and is determined to cement their Premier League status after winning promotion last season.
"Obviously the aim is to stay up in our first season," he said. "It's all about staying in the Premier League and bringing in more money and improve the facilities at the football club.
"Hopefully I can play here for the next two or three years."
