West Ham rising star Preston Fearon seals loan exit as 'delighted' boss speaks out
Preston Fearon appears to have departed West Ham United on loan to Forest Green Rovers.
There are high hopes for the West Ham rising star behind the scenes after tearing it up at age-grade level.
The 19-year-old midfielder has been on the Hammers' books since the age of 15, having made the switch from London rivals Chelsea.
Fearon was promoted to Under-21s level midway through the 2024-25 season and has not looked out of place.
While he has yet to be given a first-team opportunity, he will now get his first taste of senior football.
And it sounds like Forest Green Rovers boss Robbie Savage is delighted by the news.
What has Robbie Savage said about Preston Fearon loan?
There were some suggestions Fearon could be part of West Ham's senior side this season.
Premier League relegation was dreadful news for the Irons, of course, but the silver lining was that more youngsters would supposedly get a chance.
In the case of Fearon, however, the teenage midfielder has now made the move to National League side Rovers.
The Stroud Times reported the news on Sunday, with the England Under-20s international joining on an initial three-month agreement.
Savage said of the deal: "He had an opportunity with other clubs, but again it just goes to show what we can do here with young players.
"He'll be great for us over the next one to three months. He'll bring energy, he'll bring creativity, he'll bring skill, he'll bring work ethic, so we're delighted to have him, one of the best young players in the country.
"He's played for England Under-20s, and has chosen Forest Green for his first senior destination."
Why West Ham clearly have high hopes for Fearon
Fearon may not have played for the senior side yet, but he has been part of summer tours.
Indeed, he featured against Manchester United in the United States last summer.
He then returned to the U21s, but it is clear you can only learn so much at that level.
This loan move may be to a team in the fifth tier of English football, but he will learn more in these three months - or more - than he would in a whole season with the U21s.
West Ham figures will no doubt be keeping a close eye on how he gets on, with the possibility of another loan higher up the food chain in the New Year.