Cheikhou Kouyate has claimed that it is vital for West Ham United to continue battling for European qualification over the next few years.
Slaven Bilic's side meet FC Astra in the Europa League third qualifying round on Thursday as their campaign in the competition continues after they were handed a spot due to their fair play record, and Kouyate believes that the Hammers need European football ahead of next summer's move to their new stadium.
"It's very important for West Ham that we have European football," he told the club'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.
"I always enjoyed playing in the Europa League with Anderlecht. It was a good experience, also the Champions League as well. I enjoy it a lot.
"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."
Before this season, the Hammers had not competed in a European competition since the 2006-07 UEFA Cup.
Callum Mulvihill
