'Challenge I'm excited for' - West Ham star on 2024/25 Premier League opportunity

The West Ham loan star Andy Irving is ready to get straight into Premier League action this summer when his loan spell with SK Austria Klagenfurt runs out.

The 23-year-old began his career with Scottish Premiership side Hearts before heading to to Turkgucu Munchen in the Bundesliga. Following a year, in which the German club suffered financial difficulties, the midfielder then headed to Austria. Following West Ham's appointment of Tim Steidten as their technical director in summer 2023, Klagenfurt quickly became an affiliate club and Irving was the first to be signed over with the deal seeing him loaned back to the Austrian Bundesliga for the season.

However, there are already dates set for his London Stadium return and he recently spoke to LondonWorld's sister site Edinburgh Evening News on his excitement at the prospect of making an impact in Stratford.

Speaking about his Irons transfer, the ex-Jambos star said: "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," he says.

"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 - but 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."

The midfielder already has four youth level Scotland caps but is hopeful of soon breaking into the senior squad where he will be competing against the likes of Aston Villa's John McGinn and Celtic's Callum McGregor for a spot in the starting line-up. While the upcoming Euros tournament may be out of reach, the West Ham man is eyeing a spot in Steve Clarke's 2026 World Cup qualifying squad as well as for the 2028 Euros competition.

"Yeah, it was always an honour to play for Scotland throughout the youth and I would love to represent Scotland at senior level. If I keep working hard to improve and perform well, then hopefully I can make that a reality."

First, however, Irving will look to shake up the midfield options in East London as he prepares to battle for a place against the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek.