Aune Heggebø says he’s incredibly excited to experience the fan culture, the atmosphere and the passion for football in England after leaving his homeland for the first time in his career.
The 23-year-old striker has penned a five-year contract at the Hawthorns, joining from SK Brann in the Norwegian top-flight – a club he had been at since the age of 13.
Aune insists the move is a huge opportunity to take a big “step up” on the pitch and showcase his talent, but also to have exposure to a new “adventure” in life in a new country.
He said: “I first heard about Albion’s interest about a week ago. I spoke with my agent and he said there was interest there. I was really excited immediately.
“In Norway, English football is really big. I was thinking that this is such a big opportunity and when the move became possible, I was really excited. It’s really big for me. This is the first time that I will move abroad because I have always lived in my home city.
“Coming here with the fanbase and the history, such as being one of the oldest clubs in Great Britain, I feel very proud to get the chance to represent Albion.
“It felt like a really good opportunity to go and try something new – an adventure maybe. I can get some new life experience.
“To experience English football culture with the stadiums, fanbases, atmospheres and passion there is for football, I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve always been really big on English football when I was growing up, watching the Premier League and a bit of the Championship. It’s great to be here.”
Heggebø links up with fellow Norwegian Torbjørn Heggem, who made a similar transfer to Albion from Scandinavia this time last summer.
Heggem had a brilliant first term in navy-blue-and-white stripes, scooping the Supporters’ Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards, and Aune says his countryman’s success is both inspiring and motivating.
“It was great to meet everyone here for the first time. They were all really welcoming and it seems like a really good team and group of lads – support staff and players.
“Torbjørn and I talked a lot. We’re Norwegian and we have a lot in common there. It was good to get some insight from him. We spoke about last season, West Bromwich Albion as a club and the city. He gave me some tips about where to live and how the culture is in England.
“His story is great. The road he has had from Norway to Sweden and then to England, to then go and play regularly for the national team is really impressive. I have a lot to learn from him and I can get inspiration from him.”
Heggebø arrives with a record of 51 goals and 14 assists in 146 senior games for SK Brann.
The attacker says he loves to work hard in front of goal and get chances, but also revealed how much enjoyment he gets from being “mobile” and helping out in the “build-up”.
“I’m a pretty hard-working player. As an offensive player, you always want to get into the box and create chances and score goals. I want to help the team in the build-up and be part of the game, be mobile and work hard for the team.
“In terms of scoring goals, you always have to have the belief. It’s obviously going to be a step up from the level I’ve been playing at at Brann in Norway. However, with hard work, I’m hoping I can get the same success in England as well.”
