Former Hearts star exits West Ham United as new club talk up dominant Jambos season in transfer unveiling
The former Hearts star was most recently at Premier League level with West Ham United.
A former Hearts star has completed a permanent exit from West Ham United to join European regulars Sparta Prague.
A heavyweight of football in the Czech Republic, Irving moves back to Europe after time at Premier League level. His career in football to date has been unique after coming through the Hearts academy and featuring regularly at first team level, joining German side Turkgucu Munchen before arriving in Austrian football with Austria Klagenfurt.
Irving has made seven Premier League outings this term and 18 overall for West Ham United, now moving outside the UK for a third time in hope of regular game time. Sparta are currently second in the Czech top flight and also compete in the Conference League, finishing fourth in the league phase in the first half of the season.
Andy Irving to Sparta Prague latest
Former Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund star Tomas Rosicky, now sporting director at his boyhood club, says the Sparta move for Irving has been a long-awaited one. He said: "We know Andy well from his time in the Austrian league, where he was very productive. We've had him on our radar ever since.
“He's a left-footed, smart, hard-working and constructive midfielder with good vision, who can change the pace and focus of the game and has a flair for combination. At the same time, he's honest in defence and conscientiously fulfils defensive tasks. His quick decision-making, movement and game activity, and solving situations have impressed us and we're very happy that he'll complete our backup line.”
In a colourful unveiling, Irving’s time winning the Scottish Championship has been talked up by Sparta Prague. A statement reads: “Andrew Irving is coming to strengthen our midfield. The 25-year-old Edinburgh native has joined Letná from West Ham United, where he made 17 appearances in the Premier League. Welcome to the most successful Czech club, Andy!
West Ham United on Andy Irving exit
“Andrew Irving was born on May 13, 2000 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He joined local side Hearts of Midlothian at the age of eight and eventually came through the entire youth structure of the current Scottish Premier League leaders. Before coming of age, he tried out the second division on loan, and at the age of nineteen, he fully established himself in the Hearts first-team.
“During his first full season with the first team, he reached the Scottish FA Cup final with his parent club, where he suffered a crushing defeat to Celtic. However, relegation from the top flight was an even bigger blow. However, in the pandemic-affected 2020/21 season, Hearts dominated the second division with a start-and-finish style, with Irving contributing two goals and seven assists to an immediate return to the top flight.”
West Ham said of the move: “West Ham United can confirm midfielder Andy Irving has joined Sparta Prague on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee. Everyone at the Club would like to thank Andy for his hard work, commitment and professionalism and wish him and his family all the best for the future.”