West Ham United move for Andy Irving worth multiple millions – Sky Sports
West Ham paid “millions” to secure the signing of Scottish midfielder Andy Irving from Austria Klagenfurt, according to Sky Sports Austria.
The 23-year-old was a surprise deadline-day addition for the Hammers, who intend to loan him back to the Austrian Bundesliga side for now.
Irving’s switch was announced by Kronen Zeitung on Friday [1 September] and later confirmed on the Austrian FA’s website.
In a further update provided by Sky Sports Austria on Friday [1 September], it was claimed Klagenfurt will “receive millions” for Irving.
Let’s see
Irving was playing in the German third tier the season before last, making West Ham’s swoop all the more remarkable.
This is a player, remember, who has yet to be capped for Scotland at senior level, and has not once been touted as a target for a big club.
More light will be shed on the transfer in due course, no doubt, but it will be interesting to see how Irving’s career develops from here.
Aged 24 by the time he eventually links up with West Ham, assuming his loan return to Austria is for the season, he is not exactly one for the future.
Irving scored five goals for Klagenfurt in 31 appearances last season, which is hardly a breathtaking tally in the Austrian top flight – midfielder or not.
Still, Moyes has an eye for spotting unheralded gems – Marouane Fellaini from Standard Liege being one example – so let’s wait and see.
Assuming the deal is in the low millions, this is a relatively low-risk transfer that may just pay dividends in the long run.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are reportedly still interested in landing a bigger-name target before the window closes.