Ashley Fletcher is rated one of the most promising young forwards in England and is looking forward to producing his best form for West Ham United after he joined the Hammers from Manchester United on a four-year contract.
The England U20 striker enjoyed a memorable loan spell at Barnsley last season when he scored in the League One Play-Off Final win over Millwall at Wembley.
Fletcher is excited to be joining the Hammers as they prepare for a historic move into the new Stadium and hopes to play a major role for the first-team next season....
Ashley, welcome to West Ham United. How excited are you by the move and joining the Club at such an exciting time as we prepare for a big move into the new Stadium?
AF: “I am very excited to be here. West Ham are a massive club and I am just happy that I can come and further my development here at West Ham.”
A lot of teams showed an interest in wanting to sign you. What was it about West Ham United that made you want to join the Club?
AF: “I think it is a Club with a lot of ambition. They are about to move into the new Stadium and with the position that the Club finished in the league last season, it was an insight into me coming here.”
It was a big year for West Ham at the Boleyn Ground last year. Did you keep an eye on the developments and a historic final season for the Club?
AF: “It was hard not to see what was happening at West Ham. They have a lot of good players and it was a special final season. They managed to finish the campaign very well.”
How excited are you to be working under a manager like Slaven Bilic who is renowned for bringing through good young players?
AF: “The players that he brought through like Reece Oxford was a huge bonus and it shows what the Club is about.
“West Ham are a Club built on traditions of giving youngsters a run and hopefully I can get my chance as well.”
What can the West Ham fans expect from Ashley Fletcher?
AF: “I think there are a lot of variations to my game. I am not just a tall striker that holds the ball up.
“I have another side to my game. I can run in behind defenders and I love to score goals so hopefully you will see that.”
The Hammers have a number of quality strikers including Andy Carroll. How excited are you to be playing alongside someone who has a wealth of experience at the highest level?
AF: “Andy is an England international so I can only learn from someone like him and take different aspects of his game and add them into my own game.”
You saw what Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini did for the Club for the last season. How much are you looking forward to working with them on a daily basis?
AF: “The quality they have is unbelievable and for me to be playing alongside players like that can only improve me and make me better as well.”
You have had the experience of being at one of the biggest clubs in England playing for Manchester United. How much has that helped your own development?
AF: “It has been massive for me. Coming from such a big club and all the morals I have learned over the years have helped me develop into the player that I am today.
“I thank them and hopefully I can grow even stronger at West Ham.”
You have grown up with Marcus Rashford who has been stealing all the headlines following his call-up into the England squad. You must be hoping to follow in his footsteps and achieve what he has done?
AF: “I hope that will be the case. Marcus has been unbelievable and hopefully I will get my chance as well.”
In terms of next season, West Ham are back in the Europa League and for any young player, you must be relishing the chance to showcase your talents on the European stage?
AF: “The chance to play in Europe was 100 per cent in my thinking and I didn't think twice when the new offer came through.
“The chance to play in the new Stadium and the incentive of playing in Europe makes it a massive season.”
You are no stranger to playing in a big Stadium. How much will the Club benefit from playing in front of 60,000 fans every week?
AF: “It is only something that the players can thrive off. When you see the stands packed out with fans it will be massive and hopefully we can use that and go on and do really well next season.”
You had a successful loan spell with Barnsley. How much has that helped you as a player?
AF: “I learned a lot of things and became more of a man. I added a lot of things into my game that I probably would not have done, if I would have stayed at Manchester United.
“I thank them as well for giving me the opportunity to play games, but now my focus is on West Ham.”
Having played for the England Under-20's as well, you must take a lot of encouragement from representing your country?
AF: “Playing with West Ham players such as Reece Burke helped me. He told me about the Club and playing on the international stage is massive and I can only benefit from that.”
Did you know much about Reece before you joined up with England?
AF: “I didn't but we became really good friends playing for England and he was on loan at Bradford as well. It will be great to see him when we play at West Ham.”
Finally, what are your objectives and goals that you want to achieve at West Ham over the next few years?
AF: “I want to put on the West Ham shirt as many times as possible and play in the Premier League.
“I also want to play in the Europa League as well and help West Ham challenge for a top four finish which has got to be the aim as well.”