OFFICIAL: West Ham sign midfielder compared to Pirlo

Robin Bairner

• 1 Sept 2023 12:46 BST
• 3 min read

West Ham United have signed midfielder Andy Irving from Austrian Bundesliga side Klagenfurt.

Although the Premier League club have yet to confirm the deal, it is already listed on the official registration system in Austria.

It is expected that Irving will move back to Klagenfurt on loan after the move is completed.

Deadline Day: Every confirmed transfer around Europe

Who is Andy Irving?

The 23-year-old came through the Hearts youth system and won one cap for Scotland U21 before being released by the Scottish Premiership side.

He subsequently moved to Turkgucu Munchen in Germany’s third tier before completing a move to Klagenfurt in the summer of 2022.

In Austria, he has grown into one of the leading performers in the country’s Bundesliga. Last season, he boasted five goals and eight assists over 31 top-flight matches, while this term he already has three goals and two assists to his credit.

Irving primarily played as an attacking midfielder for Klagenfurt last season but also showed a strong all-round game, with strong performance in his defensive statistics as well as those offensive ones.

This all-round ability earned him the nickname of the ‘Portobello Pirlo’ during his time with Hearts, which was a moniker that he happily embraced.

“I think it is funny considering Pirlo is one of my idols,” Irving told the Edinburgh Evening News. “There's lots of players but Pirlo is one I’ve always looked up to so it’s funny. I don’t think I’m close to that yet!

“Obviously if that’s what they want to call me that’s fine by me.

“I want to be on the ball. If I give the ball away, get the ball again.”

Irivng’s transfer fee has not been confirmed, but the player has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €800,000, making him a potential bargain addition to West Ham.