Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric is gaining his first extended experience with a European club as a guest player with English Premier League mainstay West Ham United. The Dynamo Academy product began his two-week stint with the London club on Tuesday and will be with the Hammers through Dec. 17.

Deric signed a contract extension with the Dynamo earlier this month after completing his first professional season as the starting goalkeeper. Three days into his training spell, the 27-year-old is relishing the chance to practice his craft in a different environment. Entering his eighth professional season, it’s Deric’s first formal training stint with a foreign club.

“The class of everyone here has blown me away,” Deric told HoustonDynamo.com by phone. “I was nervous how I would fit in when I arrived and I have to give credit to the coaches, the players and the trainers; they all have made me feel really welcome.”

Dynamo goalkeeper coach Paul Rogers arranged the training spell, having suggested the idea to Deric early this offseason. Rogers encouraged Deric, citing the benefits of experiencing a new culture and adapting to the challenges of a new city. With Deric’s interest and assistance from head coach Owen Coyle, Rogers contacted several counterparts in the Premier League, including Chris Woods, the former England national team goalkeeper and current goalkeepers coach with West Ham and the U.S. men’s national team. The East London club, founded in 1895, extended the training invitation to Deric.

“It is eye-opening, to see it firsthand,” said Deric. “I’ve called it football since I’ve been here—I haven’t said soccer once. Seeing the best players in the world and how they take care of themselves and the camaraderie has been great. They put the work in the gym and on the field. Chris Woods is one of the best goalkeepers to come out of England.”

Fitting in as a local in London extends beyond the vernacular. Deric has swapped his routine of driving to Dynamo training in Houston for London’s public transportation to reach the West Ham training ground.

“I am staying in Essex, in Eastern London. From my hotel, I take two different busses, and it takes 45 minutes to go five miles for training,” said Deric. “I am enjoying it and loving it. I eat beans and toast for breakfast and absorb as much culture as I can. I took busses and trains around London and did the tourist thing—I saw Big Ben and the changing of the guard (at Buckingham Palace).”

Deric is training with the first team every day, led by manager Slaven Bilić, a former Croatia international. Deric works with Woods, starting goalkeeper Adrian, a Spaniard, as well as Republic of Ireland international Darren Randolph and Swiss Raphael Spiegel.

“Darren Randolph has been very helpful, easing me into the sessions and helping me out. Football is a small world and they have taken care of me. Adrian and Rafa Spiegel have been great to me as well.”

Really enjoying my time here @whufc_official. Thank you to the staff and players for making me feel welcome — Tyler Deric (@tyderic) December 10, 2015

Deric and Rogers speak by phone nightly, with goalkeeper and coach discussing the day’s training.

“We do a lot of the same things as Houston—handling and footwork—real-game scenario goalkeeper work. I’ve had about six weeks of not playing in games (since the end of the season), so that’s a bit unfortunate. I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been here, about the game, myself and being a goalkeeper. I am really excited to bring it back to Houston, as the experience has opened my eyes to the whole realm of being a footballer. Adrian makes everything look easy. Everything is clean and simple, and that’s what it takes to be one of the top goalkeepers in the world.”

Bilić, in his first season at West Ham after playing for the club for two seasons (1996-97), arrived back in London after a three-year run in charge of Turkish giants Besiktas and six years as manager of the Croatia national team.

“Bilić is really in control of his team. He sends a clear message to his players and keeps them all together. I arrived after they drew 0-0 at Old Trafford, so the team is in great spirits.”

Deric’s timing seems ideal in multiple ways. West Ham are currently seventh in the Premier League—five places above their finish a year ago—and hosted Stoke City and former Dynamo star Geoff Cameron on Saturday morning, playing to a 0-0 draw. Deric and Cameron were teammates for four seasons in Houston.

“I’ve never seen a Premier League game and that will be awesome, watching one of my good friends.”