Kevin Nolan set to land West Ham international defender – ExWHUEmployee
West Ham United icon Kevin Nolan is now in management, and his old club are now set to help him out.
Nolan is currently managing Northampton Town, who finished 15th in League One last season, and are aiming to strengthen their squad in the transfer window.
West Ham have several top prospects within their academy who could head out on loan for regular football, and Nolan could be the ideal coach to help them develop.
One starlet is now set to leave the London Stadium to link up with Nolan, with a deal agreed between West Ham and Northampton.
Michael Forbes to join Northampton on loan
Defender Michael Forbes is highly rated within the West Ham academy, and could have a future at the club if he develops well.
The 21-year-old is already a full Northern Ireland international, and has spent time on loan at Bristol Rovers.
| Stat | Kevin Nolan |
| Appearances | 157 |
| Goals | 31 |
| Assists | 16 |
More regular football is necessary for Forbes, and that is what he will get next season, as ExWHUEmployee (July 25) has now reported via The West Ham Way Patreon (25 July) that he will join Nolan at Northampton.
Forbes made 31 appearances for the West Ham under-21s, and appeared 12 times for Rovers in a loan spell, and the centre-back will now gain further opportunities under former midfielder Nolan.
Nolan could prove useful for West Ham
Nolan spent four years at West Ham, making 157 appearances, and was a hero at Upton Park in the final few seasons at the iconic old stadium.
Now in management, it is in West Ham’s interest for Nolan to succeed with Northampton, given the potential to forge an unofficial partnership with the club.
Academy talents could be loaned to Nolan to gain senior experience, and Nolan would benefit from having access to some of the brightest prospects ahead of other clubs.
West Ham could also be hopeful that Nolan would give fair opportunities to their young talents as a former Hammer, and this bodes well for Forbes as he embarks on what is an important loan spell.
Forbes will need to impress this season if he is to stand any chance of succeeding as a Hammer, and he will hope to develop his game under Nolan.
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