West Ham United captain Mark Noble is counting the days until he can lead his side out at the new Stadium as the Club prepare for a historic move in the near future.
Noble produced some of his best football for the Hammers last season and cannot wait for the new season to get underway.
The talented midfielder will return for the start of pre-season training at the end of this week before the team jet out to America for their 2016 summer tour.
Slaven Bilic's side will face a prestigious pre-season fixture with the Seattle Sounders, the best-supported and most-valuable franchise in Major League Soccer (MLS), on Tuesday 5 July, before facing North American Soccer League (NASL) team Carolina RailHawks on Tuesday 12 July.
Noble is excited to be part of the squad heading Stateside and hopes they can attract even more fans as they prepare to play in Seattle and Carolina....
Mark, how pleased are you that the team are heading to the USA for the big summer pre-season tour?
MN: “I am over the moon. I enjoy pre-season and you get to see different places. I have always looked at other Clubs over the last few years and seen the big places they have been to.
“I know we went to New Zealand a couple of years ago which was a long journey, but to do these American trips and see these fantastic places is great and I cannot wait.”
We have obviously seen big name players who have made the move across to the MLS like Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. The standard of football is very good so do you expect some tough games on the tour?
MN: “It is pre-season and the results are not the major factor. Nobody wants to lose but the main thing is that the boys get through it and stay fit.
“Pre-season is quite a fun time. You obviously work hard but everyone is together and we spend a lot of time with each other, so that is where the team spirit kicks in.”
There will be one familiar face coming up against the Hammers when Tyrone Mears lines-up for Seattle Sounders. How much are you looking forward to seeing him again?
MN: “I have not seen Tyrone for years. He was here for a short while and I used to give him a lift to Little Heath when we used to train there.
“He is a nice fella and I can imagine he is really enjoying his time out there.”
This is the chance for Hammers fans all over North America to come and see the team in action. How much are you looking forward to playing in front of the American public?
MN: “Wherever we have been the support has been phenomenal and that is West Ham fans for you.
“I have always said that wherever I have been across the world, I have always bumped into a West Ham fan, whether it be in a tiny village in Mauritius and other places.
“I am pretty sure we will have a lot of fans there and it is a great experience for the boys and the chance to get some time on the pitch.
“It is also nice to get some hot weather training and the chance to build up our team spirit ahead of the new season.”
How nice will it be for you to play alongside some of the new signings on the tour?
MN: “We are leaving on July 2 and to have them done over the summer is nice so we they can gel with the team.
“It will be fun and I am sure we will have some of the new signings there, but not everyone.”
Finally, how nice will it be for you and your team-mates to see some fantastic areas in north America?
MN: “Seattle and North Carolina are both amazing places and a lot of the players have not been there before.
“It is about the whole trip and the journey there, getting your new kit and it is very exciting.”