Jussi Jaaskelainen has admitted that he is happy to compete with new arrival Adrian for the No.1 jersey next season.
The Finnish goalkeeper was ever-present for the Hammers last season, making 40 appearances in all competitions, after signing on a free transfer from Bolton Wanderers in the summer.
But he now has fierce competition for his first-team place in the shape of Spanish stopper Adrian, who joined from Real Betis last month on a free transfer.
He told whufc.com: “It’s always tough competition at this level, it doesn’t matter who is there.
“But he [Adrian] is a good lad and we’re all goalkeepers fighting for that number one place.
“Of course the competition helps you produce your best form. I’ve had that from the very first day that I stepped on to the football pitch and, when you have the chance to be in the team, you have to grab that with both hands.”
Meanwhile, the 38-year-old is enjoying pre-season so far, and is looking forward to the Hammers’ ten-day tour of Germany, which begins with a trip to FSV Mainz on 20 July.
“We’ve had a full on couple of weeks and we just need to get our levels back to a consistent level where we were last season,” he added.
“Now we’re off to Germany and there will be big three tests over there. As a keeper, you’re trying to get your eye back in with every pre-season game and the training is important to get your shot stopping going, to then transfer that to the games.”
