What makes a player stand out in a sport filled with noise, pressure, wild expectations and quick judgments? And why does one midfielder from Edinburgh keep drawing attention even though he refuses to shout for it? If you’ve followed modern Scottish football for a while, you’ve probably heard the name Andy Irving. If you haven’t, his story is worth a closer look.
He isn’t loud. He isn’t flashy. Yet he keeps pushing forward in ways few players manage. Here’s how he built a career that bends the usual rules.
A Start That Felt Familiar, Until It Didn’t
Andy Irving grew up in Edinburgh and joined the Heart of Midlothian youth setup early. Many young Scottish players dream of that path. The difference with Irving was how quickly he showed he could control a midfield with ease, far beyond his age. He made his first-team debut in 2018, then continued learning the hard way through loan spells at Berwick Rangers and later Falkirk.
Those experiences toughened him. He learnt how to handle pressure without losing his calm. He learned how to read a match like an older pro. Most young midfielders try to impress through pace or aggression. Irving made an impact by slowing the pitch down.
A Bold Shift to Germany
Here’s where his story begins to break from the usual script. Instead of staying in Scotland and waiting for a perfect offer, he joined the German club Türkgücü München. The league wasn’t glamorous, and the club wasn’t stable, yet he went anyway because he wanted growth more than comfort.
The move tested him in ways he hadn’t expected. The club ran into financial trouble and fell apart, leaving him without a team for a period. Many players lose momentum in moments like that. Irving didn’t. He kept working and found clarity in the chaos.
Reinvention in Austria
He headed to Austria next and joined Austria Klagenfurt. That decision turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to him. Coaches there trusted him with more freedom. They gave him space to create, dictate tempo and unlock attacks.
Here’s what matters: Austria is where he showed he could be more than a tidy passer. He became a genuine threat. A hat-trick against Red Bull Salzburg proved he could dominate top competition. Austrian fans noticed. Scouts noticed. West Ham noticed too.
The West Ham Jump
In 2023, West Ham United made their move. Irving joined the club but returned to Klagenfurt on loan to finish the season. When he finally arrived in London full-time, he didn’t act starstruck. He treated it like the next step of a long process.
His Premier League debut came in September 2024. Later, he earned a starting spot against Chelsea. West Ham supporters who watched him saw a midfielder who plays with balance and intelligence. He never panics. He rarely wastes the ball. He reads matches in a way that gives managers comfort.
The Premier League is demanding, though. Young players often need time to adjust. Irving handled that challenge the same way he handled Germany and Austria – quietly, steadily, with purpose.
A Scotland Call Years in the Making
Scotland eventually came calling, too. He worked his way through the youth levels, then earned his first senior call-up in 2024. His debut arrived in the summer of 2025. It meant everything, not just to him but to those who watched him climb from Portobello pitches to the national team.
Fans had already given him a nickname: the Portobello Pirlo. It stuck because it fits. His game is built on smart passing, calm control and an eye for openings most people don’t see until late.
The Player Behind the Position
Andy Irving is a midfielder, but that simple label doesn’t quite capture his style. He enjoys playing deep because it lets him see the entire match unfold. He isn’t the kind of player who forces a moment. He guides one.
He doesn’t rack up huge numbers every season, yet he shapes matches in subtler ways. There’s value in that, even if it doesn’t always show up on a stat sheet. His 2025-26 Premier League line reads six matches, no goals, no assists. Those numbers miss the real story. His job isn’t just to finish moves. It’s to create structure, set rhythm, and keep possession moving with intent.
When you watch him closely, you notice how often he makes the right choice before others even think about it.
Andy Irving in FC 25
For those who imagine how players fit into football video games, Irving is the kind of midfielder who becomes a manager’s favourite. Solid on the ball. Smart defensively. Calm under pressure. In FC 2.5, he’d sit comfortably in the deep-lying creator role, doing the little things that decide matches without chasing spotlight moments.
His rating might not jump off the screen early, yet he’d be the type of player who grows fast when trusted.
Is Andy Irving good?
Yes. The better question is why he’s good. He succeeds because he reads plays at a high level and improves each season. His journey shows a player who chooses development over hype. People who watch him regularly see a midfielder who understands when to slow a match down and when to break lines.
He’s still developing, still sharpening his edges, still pushing toward a full breakout. That’s part of what makes him so compelling. His best years are probably ahead of him.
Current Teams and Career Timeline
Here’s the simple outline:
- Hearts – Senior debut in 2018
- Berwick Rangers – Loan
- Falkirk – Loan
- Türkgücü München – Joined 2021
- Austria Klagenfurt – Joined 2022
- West Ham United – Joined 2023
- Scotland National Team – First senior involvement in 2024
Today he plays for:
- West Ham United (midfielder)
- Scotland National Team (midfielder)
He stands 1.77 m, built for balance rather than brute strength.
A Story That Still Feels Like It’s Starting
Andy Irving’s career doesn’t follow a straight line. It bends, detours, pivots and rebuilds itself. That’s why people pay attention. He shows that your path doesn’t need to be smooth to be meaningful. You can leave Scotland, lose a club, rediscover yourself abroad, then return to play in England’s top league. You can earn a national team debut even after your early years didn’t promise stardom.
If you enjoy stories about Scottish football journeys, you might also like
Why Marvin Andrews Rangers Performances Still Inspire, and How Sandy Jardine Became the Heart of Rangers Football.
FAQs
How much does Andy Irving earn?
His exact wage hasn’t been made public. As a Premier League midfielder, he’s earning a strong salary for his age and experience.
Why did Andy Irving leave Hearts?
He wanted regular football and a new challenge. Moving abroad gave him the chance to grow in ways he felt weren’t possible if he stayed.
What is Andy Irving’s rating?
In FC 25-style terms, he’d likely sit in the mid-range with room to rise. His intelligence and passing make him an ideal developmental pick.
What is Andy Irving’s nickname?
Fans call him the Portobello Pirlo.
How much is Lamine Yamal getting paid?
He plays for Barcelona and earns significantly more due to his early rise. His pay structure doesn’t relate to Irving’s journey or contract style.
