West Ham: Austrian FA confirm Andy Irving transfer in last-ditch deal
West Ham have completed the signing of midfielder Andy Irving from SK Austria Klagenfurt, the Austrian Football Association has confirmed.
Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung reported on Friday [1 September] that West Ham had made an offer for the 23-year-old Scotsman.
The bid was undisclosed, but was said to be considered “a big windfall” for cash-strapped Klagenfurt, who ply their trade in the Austrian top flight.
While West Ham have yet to make any sort of announcement, the move was confirmed on the Austrian FA’s website on Friday [1 September].
What next?
If this deal was not strange enough on the face of it, Kronen Zeitung also reported that Irving is set to be loaned straight back to Klagenfurt.
The Scotland U21 international is not entirely unknown, having made 59 appearances for Hearts in the Scottish Premiership earlier in his career.
Hearts had hoped to keep him on their books, but he opted for a move abroad ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.
He spent that season in third tier of German football with Turkgucu Munchen, who themselves faced financial issues, forcing Irving’s exit.
After being snapped up by a higher-profile side – relatively speaking – Irving’s performances for Klagenfurt clearly caught the eye.
Exactly what is next for Irving after he presumably sees out the 2023-24 campaign in Austria, as has been reported, remains to be seen.
This is not the deadline-day signing supporters were expecting, although then again you must always expect the unexpected with West Ham.
In other West Ham news, a player signed by Moyes has reportedly been offered to a Premier League rival.