West Ham United announce exit as ‘excellent’ midfielder completes loan transfer
West Ham United have announced that Patrick Kelly has left the London Stadium on loan to join Doncaster Rovers for the season.
The Hammers confirmed in an official statement on Thursday (8 August) that the Northern Irish youth international will spend the season with Grant McCann’s side as they look to mount a playoff push in League Two.
Kelly spent pre-season with Julen Lopetegui’s first-team squad and even travelled for the pre-season tour of the United States and Rovers boss McCann admits they have been eyeing him for a while.
Speaking to Doncaster Rovers’ website (8 August) he said: “We’re delighted to get PK. He’s a lad we’ve watched a lot of and we had to wait patiently as he’s been with the West Ham first team all of pre-season.
“He’s capable of playing in the six or eight in our midfield – very much in the mould of Matty Craig. He’s flourished at U21 level with Northern Ireland and has been drafted into training camps with the senior team.
“What we like is that he’s excellent on the ball and an all-action type that can jump and press and recover with ease. He can also beat people which is very important for us.”
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Now that Lopetegui has added plenty of experience and know-how to his first-team squad, the Hammers can begin turning their attention to helping the development of the next generation of young players.
Kelly would have gained some excellent experience from spending pre-season with the first team, but after a few seasons of youth football, playing in League Two will be much better for his development.
McCann and Doncaster have previously been very good when it comes to putting faith in young players and the opportunity to play a part in a playoff push at that level will be brilliant for the midfielder’s development.
Hopefully, his spell with Rovers will be a success and then he can come and attempt to force his way back into Lopetegui’s first-team plans again in a year’s time having guided Doncaster Rovers to League One.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have been told to make a decision over Jarrod Bowen as Kurt Zouma is set to exit the London Stadium
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