West Ham’s new signing Alex Kral has spoken about his delight at securing a deadline day move to the London Stadium. The Czech Republic international has joined the Hammers on an initial season-long loan with a view to a permanent move next summer. The 23-year-old is away on international duty with fellow Hammers Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal but the midfielder is excited to move to England and link up with his new club.
Alex Kral said: “I’m really excited because it’s a big move for me and all the time if I make a move in my career I try to go step by step and this one is a big step, a big challenge, but I’m looking forward for this. The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world and also one of the hardest, but it’s not just about playing in the Premier League. It’s about playing for West Ham, which is a club with big tradition and big history and they are in a good place, so it’s a big challenge and I’m looking forward to it.”
Kral admitted that whilst he feels good about joining the Hammers at one point he was unsure if the move was still on.
Alex Kral said: “I feel really good. It was a little bit stressful because until the last moment I didn’t know if I would transfer or not. The clubs were still speaking on the last day, but I’m really happy they could find a way and I could join West Ham.”
Due to international duty Kral has yet to have lengthy contact with manager David Moyes but he revealed club captain mark Noble has reached out to him.
Alex Kral said: “Mark Noble wrote me a message on WhatsApp welcoming me to West Ham and these small things are really nice for me.”
Despite being just 23, Kral is an experienced footballer having played in the Europa League with Slavia Prague and represented his country on 23 occasions including four appearances in Euro 2020. West Ham begin their Europa League campaign on September 16 and Kral is looking forward to the competition getting underway.
Alex Kral added: “These games in Europa League are something special and are an opportunity to confront teams from different countries and different leagues, so each player wants to play in these games.”
Kral becomes the third Czech man in the West Ham squad and the fourth in total with Katerina Svitkova representing the women’s team.
Alex Kral said: “I’m happy I can join my Czech teammates. I already played with them in Slavia and in the national team and also Kateřina Svitková is also a Czech girl so I’m really glad I can be the next Czech in West Ham.”
Both Soucek and Coufal have claimed to be Kral’s ‘agent’ such was their influence in getting their countryman to the club and Kral is excited to get going in the Premier League.
Alex Kral added: “Tomas and Vlad were like my second agent! Of course, they helped a lot and I’m really happy I can join West Ham and show my qualities. They said it is a really nice city and the people in London really live for football and also before the games at the stadiums you really feel the atmosphere and it’s something different than in other leagues or countries, so I’m really excited to feel it.”
