.Hammers summer transfer signing Irving is set return
West Ham summer signing Andy Irvine looks set to finally join up with the Hammers pre-season according to the Edinburgh News
Last September West Ham signed midfielder Andy Irving from Austrian Bundesliga side Klagenfurt for a reported £1.5m fee but the transfer was not officially announced by either club with the official confirmation coming from the Austrian Football Association website. He was immediately loaned back to Klagenfurt under the deal.
Irving grew up in Edinburgh and attended Portobello High School with the now 23-year-old coming through the Hearts youth system, winning one cap for Scotland U21.
Irving joined Berwick Rangers on loan in 2018 making made 24 appearances for Berwick, scoring twice in all competitions.
Hammers summer transfer signing Irving is set to report for training
On his return he made his first team debut for Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) on 24 January 2018, signing a new contract, extending his stay at the club until 2020.
Irving was loaned to Scottish Championship side Falkirk until January 2019.
He subsequently moved to Turkgucu Munchen in Germany’s third tier before completing a move to Klagenfurt in the summer of 2022.
Hammer shines overseas
In Austria, he has grown into one of the leading performers in the country’s Bundesliga. Last season, he boasted six goals and eight assists over 34 top-flight matches with four goals and four assists from 22 games to date this term. The Austrian club are currently fifth and will qualify for European competition if they can finish in that position.
Irving is a fluent German speaker and an exclusive chat with the Edinburgh News he reveals. “I’ve definitely developed a lot over the past two years here, in all aspects, The style here in Austria has allowed me to play as a more attacking midfielder, which has changed my game quite a bit. Since I’ve been here we’ve been pretty successful in reaching the top six both years, which is big for the club. Obviously, being one point off Europe last year was close and we would love to change that this time around.”
“It’s not all been rosy since I came abroad but I’ve loved every minute of being abroad with its ups and downs. I have grown massively as a person and as a footballer. The life experience away from the pitch has been amazing, in terms of where I’ve lived, the friends I’ve met and having learnt a new language. When you add in the football side of things, that only adds to the enjoyment I’ve had.”
Time to return home
“The nature here is class and I enjoy a swim in the lake and playing some padel tennis with the boys. My girlfriend doesn’t live here but, with her being a teacher, there are plenty opportunities for her to come out which is always great. My family have all been out to Klagenfurt as have my friends and they’ve all loved it – and Klagenfurt definitely enjoyed having them.
“I’ve been doing interviews in German for a fair bit now and I am comfortable speaking German. The Austrian dialect is much different to what I learned in Germany but I’ve picked it up. Everyone seems to understand me better in German than they do in my Scottish accent.”
The Scot is excited finally at joining West Ham once the Klagenfurt loan agreement expires. “I heard about the possibility from my agents about 10 days before the window shut [last August]. It was a lot to take in having games to focus on too, but of course it’s something every kid dreams about. I was buzzing, as were my family, travelling to London was a bit chaotic. It was during the time when UK control towers were down so flying to Brussels and then driving with my agent to London wasn’t exactly the easiest. However, it was definitely worth it, absolutely. I believe that I can go to West Ham and show my quality. It’s a challenge I’m very excited for. I understand the level that I’m going to and it’s up to me to show that I can play at that level.”
