Shayden Morris grew up a goal kick away from West Ham United's home and the Aberdeen winger admits he would relish a tie against the Hammers in the group stages of the Europa League.
Morris has never played or even attended a European game in his life and will be thrown in at the deep end tomorrow when the Dons face the Swedish champions BK Hacken in the first leg of the play-offs in Gothenburg.
It's a return to the city which saw Aberdeen's finest hour when they beat Real Madrid and won the 1983 European Cup-Winners' Cup, but more pertinently, it's a return to play against a side they eliminated in the same competition two years ago.
It's all change for Aberdeen now with only current player Jonny Hayes a starter in that side who lost 2-0 in Sweden under Stephen Glass, having hammered Hacken 5-1 in the first leg at Pittodrie.
Morris arrived in the north east a year ago with Jim Goodwin splashing out a six-figure fee to land the 21-year-old from Scott Brown's Fleetwood Town.
Despite growing up in prime Hammers' heartland, Morris is an Arsenal fan, but would love a return home in the group stages, with David Moyes' Europa Conference League winners in Pot One.
While last year was a painful learning experience for Morris, who didn't start a single game, he's been something of a revelation this term under Barry Robson and has started every Aberdeen match as a right wing back.
And he has ambitions well beyond the first leg at the Bravida Arena tomorrow.
He said: "I’ve never been to a European game as a fan or been involved as a player.
"I’m an East London boy and I live next to West Ham but I’m an Arsenal fan.
"My family are still there and they are all Arsenal fans as well. My brother was at the Celtic game but it’s tough for them to get up here.
"If we were to reach the group stages and draw West Ham everyone in my family would be wanting tickets for that one.”
"I’m really enjoying being up here and having Europe to look forward to. That’s not an opportunity I’ve had down in England so this is massive and I can’t wait for it. It’s been exciting looking to see where we’re travelling.
"It’s so exciting for us to have guaranteed group stage football somewhere. It gives us an edge to try to get to the knockout stage and go as far as we can.
"Getting to the Europa League is our aim. We want to win both legs home and away and get to the group stages and we’re not thinking of where we’ll be if we lose.
"These games are massive opportunities. A lot of people will be watching us and it’s something to look forward to. We want to impress.”
Meanwhile, Hacken have immediately replaced Kristoffer Lund, who complete a £2.25 million move to Palermo, with Standard Liege full back Jacob Barrett Laursen who was once on the books at Juventus as a youngster.
Laursen, 28, said: "I really like what BK Hacken has done in recent years - the way the team plays football suits me and it is the type of football that I prefer to play. It was a great opportunity that presented itself to me and I look forward to being part of the team"
