West Ham United midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate has stressed the importance of regular European football for the Hammers as they head into their new stadium in 2016/17.

Kouyate, who joined the Hammers last summer, believes regular qualification for European football will be a “nice” way to start their journey at the Olympic Stadium.




“It’s very important for West Ham that we have European football”, said the Senegalese to West Ham’s official website.

“Everyone wants to play in the best competitions, this is one of them.
 


“It’s a nice way as we go into the new Stadium, hopefully we can have European football for a number of years.”

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The 25-year-old has previous experience of playing in Europe with former club Anderlecht and the midfielder has talked up the experience of European football, which he believes is different from football in England.

“The teams you play in the Europa League are very different to English teams.

“The style, the way they play football. It’s a different type of experience.

“Every player enjoys it, we have a good squad, I think we are ready”, added Kouyate.

The Hammers will square off against Romanian outfit Astra Giurgiu in the first leg of a Europa League third qualifying round tie at Upton Park on Thursday night.

They came through on penalties in the second qualifying round against Maltese side Birkirkara, and will hope to fare better against their Romanian opponents as they bid to continuing progressing.