West Ham United to sanction loan exit for midfield gem – ExWhuEmployee
West Ham United are set to sanction a loan departure for young midfielder Patrick Kelly, according to ExWHUemployee.
The Irons source reported via the West Ham Way website [7 August] that the Northern Ireland Under-21 international is set for a season-long loan move to Doncaster Rovers in League Two.
Kelly is yet to appear for the first team at the London Stadium but is a regular at U21 level, having featured 31 times for the age group in all competitions in 2023-24.
It is now judged that this is the right time for the 19-year-old to gain senior EFL experience.
West Ham aiming to give youngsters experience
At the London Stadium, a strong conveyor belt of youth players has always been maintained, many of whom have gone on to enjoy successful careers either in the East End or elsewhere.
It was added by ExWHUEmployee that the club are planning for a number of players from the academy players to make a move and it makes sense for some of the promising youth stars to go and find some first-team football elsewhere if it is not forthcoming at the London Stadium.
Kelly looks set to be the latest of a clutch of U21 starlets being sent out to English clubs further down the pyramid to acclimatise to the ruthless nature of senior football.
The midfielder signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract back in the winter, with the Hammers keen to retain his services long-term and give the player a development plan.
With established players being consistently hunted down by Tim Steidten in a new transfer approach for the club, Guido Rodriguez was brought in this week as the newest arrival in Julen Lopetegui’s midfield ranks – meaning young charges like Kelly will benefit elsewhere for the year.
In other West Ham news, the club are linked with an exciting Italian international.
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