West Ham set to seal surprise deadline day signing of ex-Hearts midfielder Andy Irving from SK Austria Klagenfurt - with deal heralding start of a partnership between the clubs

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Mail Sport can report that West Ham are securing at least one signing on deadline day – Andy Irving of SK Austria Klagenfurt.

You may ask: who? Well, he’s a 23-year-old Scottish midfielder, and he is set to be loaned straight back to the Austrian side.

Sources say this could be the start of an affiliate partnership between the two clubs.

The deal is yet to be announced and Mail Sport understands it is unlikely to be until next week.

West Ham are securing a signing on deadline day – former Hearts player Andy Irving (right)

Sources say this could be the start of an affiliate partnership between the two clubs

Brighton sent Kaoru Mitoma on loan to Union SG in a similar affiliations

Other clubs have similar affiliations to the partnership West Ham could begin with Klagenfurt.

Brighton sent Kaoru Mitoma on loan to Union SG (also owned by Tony Bloom) before he became the Premier League’s latest star, for example.

Union SG currently employ Alexis Mac Allister’s brother, Kevin, who is set to face his sibling in the Europa League as Liverpool were drawn against the Belgian side in the group stages.

It is believed that the move for Irving will see the beginning of the affiliate between the Irons and SK Austria Klagenfurt.

The former Hearts midfielder will remain on loan in Austria for the rest of the season, with the Irons having already brought in Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse after losing Declan Rice this summer.

It is not the most exciting of deadline day’s for the Hammers, who got their businesss wrapped up early.

David Moyes’ side have started the season well and will be seeking glory in the Europa League this season, having been drawn against Olympiacos, Freiburg and Backa Topola.

Irving will likely join his new teammates at the end of the season from the Austrian side, with the opportunity for the Irons to send players of their own to Klagenfurt in the search of first team football.