Inside Andy Irving's post Hearts odyssey as inbound West Ham United star does his interviews in fluent German

Andy Irving is doing interviews in fluent German these days - but hopes he won't have to for long as he targets a spot in the West Ham first team.

The former Hearts star is one of a burgeoning number of young Scots who have thrived since heading abroad to try their luck. The 23-year-old left Gorgie in an eyebrow-raising move to the German lower leagues with Turguku Munchen in 2021, and despite some ups and downs since – including a financial meltdown at the Munich club that ended his German adventure after a year – there's no doubt it's worked out for the better.

He swapped Germany for Austria in 2022 and his stunning form in his first season with Klagenfurt earned him a scarcely believable transfer to West Ham - who he'll join up with in the summer for the first time after being loaned back to Austria for the season. And he wants to make his mark on David Moyes' team – and play his way into Steve Clarke's long-term plans.

He said via the Edinburgh Evening News: " 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