Lars Jacobsen will be back in action for Denmark tonight to kick-start their UEFA Euro 2012 campaign but will be eager to return to club duties as a new Hammer.
The deadline-day signing from Blackburn Rovers is fully focused on the task at hand, namely a home match with Iceland that will set the tone for hopes of making it to another major finals. Jacobsen was part of a Danish side that played three games at the 2010 FIFA World Cup but failed as a squad, like many, to meet expectation.
"We are playing at home against Iceland and most people expect us to win, we expect that ourselves," Jacobson told whufc.com. "It is important to get off to a good start. We really want to put three points on the board, it is very important for us."
Jacobsen was keen to stress that a good showing was also "important for me" before Saturday's date with Chelsea, adding: "I have only played one Carling Cup match since the season started and was on the bench for the Premier League matches. It is a good opportunity to get a full 90 minutes to help me for what I need to do with West Ham."
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The right-back became available in the last fortnight of the transfer window, with Rovers clearly over-stocked in that position and the Danish defender eager to start afresh. He said swapping Blackburn for the Boleyn would give him the opportunity to return to playing the sort of "passing football that suits me really well".
He explained that the direct style employed at Ewood was effective but not always conducive to the way he had been schooled at the all-conquering FC Copenhagen back home and in Europe, as well as in dozens of matches for the national team.
"That was what I was used to, keeping the ball on the ground and playing out from the back. Of course you cannot be naïve, especially in the Premier League and there are many different styles. The way West Ham play is how I want to play and get the most out of my ability."
Of the frenetic activity a week ago that led to this new outlook, he admitted it had "been a bit weird" signing in such whirlwind fashion and then immediately going on international duty. He is not complaining, though, as he is thinking long-term for his wife and young son and is eager for the chance to truly settle at a club in England
"I had been aware of the interest for a couple of weeks, but it all came down to the last day [of the transfer window]. I am just happy and delighted to have signed and looking forward to play for West Ham. It is a bonus as well to get the opportunity to live in such a great city as London
"West Ham excited me. My first priority was to stay in England. I am happy here and so are my family. I could have gone to another country but I preferred to stay in the Premier League and West Ham have given me that opportunity. It would be nice to be here a long time."