One of our ‘Crown Jewels’ who made his first team debut last year under David Moyes is set to leave the senior team this year to continue his development.
West Ham United have confirmed that Academy graduate George Earthy is to head out on loan for the season, travelling to the south west to join Bristol City for the 2024/25 campaign.
Reported by ExWHUEmployee on his X feed, it’s clear to me that several Championship clubs were interested in loaning the young Hammer.
Somewhat reassuringly, Earthy will now be playing for Manager Liam Manning, a former under 23 manager at West Ham from 2015-2019.
Earthy joins several academy members who have been loaned out for the 2024/5 season, in the hope that they can continue their development and then return to challenge for first team places in the future. It is good to see these youngsters remaining on the Hammers’ books and we wish them all well for the season. We will keep an eye on their progress and issue updates through the season.
Established players will find it hard to get playing time this season, George Earthy had no chance. A loan is the best option.
Unfortunately, many academy prospects are developed to sell. Although they cost nothing to produce (as far as a cash purchase goes), the funds they bring in when sold can be great way-offs against PSR. Good luck to George, Claret and Blue born and bred.
Good move for him and the club…gives him game time and playing in that meat grinder of a league he will grow up faster than a few cameo appearances from the bench with us…..lets see what kind of player he becomes in the next 12 months
Even if he does develop, they’ll probably just use that as a reason to sell him just like they did with Downes. Sad to say, but it’s probably the end for a great prospect and local lad. The writing was on the wall the moment we spent 25m on a Brazilian with one goal to his name.
Bristol City looks like a good level for George to be able to develop with plenty of game time at the same time as requiring him to perform. So important to get this right especially when looking at the loan of Callum Marshal to West Brom where he was barely used.
As a born ‘n bred red Bristolian, I’m delighted by this on the one hand. On the other, (with the Hammers as my ‘mistress’ for many years), its a pity that he (and other youngsters) aren’t going to get a shake with the Hammers for a while, with all the purchases and failed sales. So many of us were unhappy with this very thing under Moyes.
George could play just 2/3s of City’s games this season and still play almost aa many as a full prem campaign. He’ll likely be targeted to be the attacking/creative midfielder, as City have plenty od ‘battling’ type Mids. Looking forward to his development and success!