St Patrick's Athletic have signed West Ham United midfielder Alfie Lewis on loan ahead of the 2021 SSE Airtricity Premier Division season.
The 21-year-old midfielder, who has signed a deal until 26 June, has made nearly 60 Premier League Two appearances for the Hammers but has yet to make his first-team debut.
Lewis joined the West Ham academy at the age of eight before making his debut for the under-23 team eight years later, and he is now hoping to gain senior experience with the Dublin club.
"My agent texted me to let me know about the interest from St Pat's a few weeks ago and as soon as a spoke to Stephen O'Donnell I wanted to come over," said Lewis.
"This is the perfect time for me to go out on loan to a good club like St Pat's and get some experience. I'm really looking forward to it.
"I know St Pat's play a really good style of football and I'm a player who likes to get on the ball, so hopefully I can add my quality to the team and see what I can do and work hard."
📝𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂
We are delighted to announce the loan signing of @WestHam's @AlfieLewis
The 21-year-old midfielder has been with his boyhood club from the age of 8 & made his PL2 debut aged 16
Alfie & Stephen O’Donnell have been telling us more#StPatsFC | #Saints2021 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/WaXp2tyBgH— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) February 23, 2021
St Pats get their season underway with a Dublin derby match away to Premier Division champions Shamrock Rovers on Friday 19 March.
Manager Stephen O'Donnell will be looking to build on the club's sixth place finish last season and in Lewis he believes he has a player who will settle in at Richmond Park very easily.
"Alfie is a very good footballer and is someone who we have been tracking for quite a while, having watched him numerous times for West Ham Under 23s. He will compliment our team and the rest of our midfielders very well," said O'Donnell.
"He is a typical St Patrick’s Athletic style of player, the club have been renowned for having technically gifted players over the years, and we hope he’ll add a creative spark for us, get on the ball and play progressive passes."
"For more of these stories, visit otbsports.com."
