BURNLEY boss Sean Dyche admits new signing Fredrik Ulvestad will need time to adapt to the Premier League.

The 22-year-old midfielder had spent time training with the Clarets at Gawthorpe in February, and Burnley boss Dyche said he had been impressed with the Norwegian international during that spell.

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Ulvestad also played for Burnley’s development squad during his time in East Lancashire and he has now penned a three-year deal that will keep him at Turf Moor until 2018.

He has been out of contract since leaving his hometown club Aalesunds at the end of the 2014 Norwegian season, and had been interesting Bundesliga clubs, including Hannover 96.

Dyche believes the move will present Ulvestad with a new challenge and a new culture to get used to.

“Fredrik is someone who came into the club to spend some time with us earlier this year,” said the Clarets chief.

“We liked what we saw and he has gained some good experience playing in the league in Norway.

“It’s a new challenge for him now, not only on the pitch but off it too in terms of culture.”

Ulvestad scored 18 goals in 122 games for Aalesunds before deciding to leave the club last summer.

He also won his first international cap, against the United Arab Emirates, in August 2014, but Dyche believes his new charge is still learning and admits he will face a period of adjustment at Turf Moor as he tries to force his way into the manager’s settled first XI.

“He has gained a full international cap and is learning and gaining experience all the time,” said Dyche. “We will be looking for him to continue his development and improve further as a midfielder.

“There will be an adjustment period, for sure, because of the change in the levels of football.

“We know how tough the Premier League is, so he will be given time to adjust to that accordingly and continue his development.”

Having not played since the Norwegian season finished, Ulvestad admits he needs to work on his fitness before getting a place in the side.

“It’s a dream for me, so now I just need to get in shape and get ready to play,” he said.

“It’s a different culture here and I am coming from pre-season, so maybe I will need a little bit of time.

“The season finished in Norway in November, so it has been a while since I’ve played a game, but I will do my best and work hard to try and be ready as soon as possible.

“England was always a big draw and it’s always a dream for every player to play in the biggest league in the world.

“Burnley is a big club and the people here have been really kind to me so far. I came here last month and now I’m really looking forward to this adventure.”

Ulvestad is also keen to build on his solitary international cap by impressing at Burnley.

“I have ambitions to play for Norway, but I know I have to do well here and hopefully things will go well and I can earn more caps,” he said.