Brede Hangeland: 'Relegation hard to accept'

Fulham captain Brede Hangeland has admitted that he is struggling to come to terms with the club's relegation from the Premier League.

The Cottagers' 13-year stay in the top flight came to an end two weeks ago with a 4-1 defeat at Stoke City.

While Hangeland admits that he is upset by the team's plight, the Norwegian intends to make a swift return to the Premier League.

"It has sunk in but it's still hard to get up in the morning," he told the club's official website. "It's going to stay with me for the rest of my life. It will get easier as time goes by but it's a hard fact to come to terms with.

"The aim is to get straight back up. I haven't seen any official goals but we're a club that belongs in the Premier League."

Hangeland made 23 appearances for Fulham during the 2013-14 campaign.