Invisible man Andy Irving has made West Ham say his name with a stunning goal in a pre-season win over Dagenham and Redbridge.
Andy Irving is almost like a dirty little secret at West Ham this summer.
Some Hammers fans might be forgiven for asking ‘who’ when they hear the name Irving.
But not for much longer.
David Moyes was West Ham boss when the club signed his fellow Scot Irving from SK Austria Klagenfurt last summer before immediately loaning him back to the Austrians.
The Irons reportedly paid £1.5m for the 24-year-old central midfielder as part of a feeder club agreement.
It was recently claimed Irving will ‘definitely’ be a West Ham player next season.
The player himself seemed less convinced when asked about it recently, telling Kleine Zeitung ‘we’ll see what happens’.
So, many are asking, why has his name barely been mentioned by the Hammers let alone in hushed tones?
There is an air of mystery and an element of the bizarre surrounding Irving at West Ham.
Mystery man Andy going under the radar at West Ham
The Hammers have never officially unveiled or announced the Scot as a West Ham signing.
There has barely been a mention of the former Hearts player either as he trains under Julen Lopetegui this summer.
Irving played for West Ham in their 2-2 draw against Ferencvaros and looked bright enough in central midfield.
He even set up the equaliser for Nayef Aguerd.
That fact was mentioned in the club’s match report from that game but nothing else has been said about what is effectively a new signing.
The strange situation has made Irving into something of a cult hero among Hammers fans on social media.
Invisible man Irving makes West Ham say his name with stunner
He has been given some hilarious monikers like ‘Sir Andy’ and ‘King Irving’.
Well now invisible man Irving has made West Ham say his name with a stunning winning goal in the pre-season victory over Dagenham and Redbridge.
The Scotsman curled home a wonderful left-footed drive from the edge of the box five minutes into the second half in what proved to be the winner.
You can watch the goal in the post below, it really is a wonderful strike.
But more importantly it should force the club to open up a bit more about the mysterious midfielder.
West Ham head coach Lopetegui will also undoubtedly comment on Irving given he scored a wonderful winning goal.
Perhaps the club’s media team will even give us an interview with Irving.
One thing is for certain, though, West Ham will have to put Irving’s name up in lights for one game at least.
He’s left them no choice with that absolute pearler of a goal, which is worth watching again at the bottom of this story.
Hammers must answer Irving questions now
Here’s what West Ham’s official website has to say about Irving on its player profile page.
“Edinburgh-born Andy Irving is a Scottish midfielder who joined West Ham United in summer 2023,” his profile page reads.
“Capped by Scotland at U21 level, Irving came through the Academy ranks at Heart of Midlothian before making over 50 first-team appearances for the Tynecastle club.
“In summer 2021, Irving moved to German 3. Liga club Türkgücü München, then joined Austrian Bundesliga outfit SK Austria Klagenfurt a year later. Having completed his transfer to West Ham in September 2023, Irving returned to Klagenfurt for a season-long loan spell.”
READ ALSO
Exclusive: West Ham issue mixed 10-word transfer update
Romano’s new transfer update will excite both Man United and West Ham
Sullivan confidant responds to new Paqueta revelations
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
