West Ham will hope for no regrets as Michael Forbes finds new club

Michael Forbes has already sealed himself a new home after his West Ham exit.

The Hammers confirmed that the 22-year-old would leave when his contract expired when they released their retained list last Wednesday.

He may have fancied his chances of playing a depth role in the Championship, but that will not happen now.

Forbes had impressed over the last few years for the Irons' Under-21 side but it was not enough to earn an extension.

He had made 37 appearances for the Rush Green outfit, captaining the team on 13 separate occasions.

However, he has not had to wait too long to be snapped up by a new club, with the one-cap Northern Ireland international's next destination now announced.

Where is Michael Forbes going after West Ham exit?

Forbes spent last season in League One with Northampton Town, on loan from the London Stadium side.

However, he has chosen to join Scottish Premiership side Dundee United after his departure from E20.

The Tangerines confirmed the move on Tuesday, with a two-year contract and an option for a further year.

Why West Ham could regret Forbes' departure

Forbes could have helped Nuno Espirito Santo's side in their attempts to get back into the Premier League, had they kept him around.

He has experience in the Football League, having played 22 times in the third-tier last season, which could have helped out, given the lack of it in the current squad.

He is also very versatile, having played at centre-back, left-back and defensive midfielder across his time in the East London side's academy, and that could have been a valuable asset.

Only time will tell how his exit will be perceived but he would have been a handy option to have around for the Hammers, as they face a tough battle in the second-tier.

However, he will get to showcase his talents in Scotland's top-flight instead, and will be hoping to leave Nuno and Co with huge regrets about letting him go.

If he performs well north of the border and the Irons struggle to get promoted, then he may well have the last laugh on his former employers, and remind them that they made a mistake.