Hammers nail down ‘Irish Messi’ Maguire

West Ham were last night told they had signed the ‘Irish Messi’ after the Hammers signed Sean Maguire from Waterford United on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The 18-year-old U19 international impressed last season, scoring 13 goals in 24 appearances and Waterford chairman John O’Sullivan has drawn comparisons between Maguire and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

“I’m a great fan of Lionel Messi at Barcelona. When I look at Seanie, he really reminds me of him. Seanie has the same kind of balance, burst of speed and he’s powerful on the ball.

“He has a great shot from any range and he’s good in the air. He has everything going for him.’’

O’Sullivan believes Maguire needs to bulk up but is convinced he will quickly make an impact at the Hammers and go on to one day be a star in the senior Ireland set-up.

“He still has to build up a bit of muscle, but there’s no doubt West Ham will help him do that,’’ O’Sullivan told the BBC.

“If Seanie keeps progressing the way he is, it won’t be long before he’s getting first-team football at West Ham. There is no question whatsoever he will be a star one day for the Republic of Ireland.”

Maguire is thrilled to have joined the Premier League outfit.

“In summer 2011 the Waterford manager brought me in for a couple of training sessions and gave me a chance in the first team and I took it.

“Here I am now at West Ham and it’s a dream come true really.

“People tend to say my best trait is my movement so hopefully I can show that here. I haven’t been told yet which squad I will be in but I presume I’ll be going into the reserves so I’ll try to work my way up like I did at Waterford.”

Stephen McLaughlin is another League of Ireland player England-bound after the 22-year-old winger joined Championship side Nottingham Forest from Derry City.

The 22-year-old winger said: “Things are just going better and better each week for me. I came here on trial after I won the FAI Cup with Derry City.

“I was called back, completed my fitness test and medical, went home for Christmas and now I’m back again to sign.

“I’m not used to how professionally things are run here — this is my first major club. No disrespect to Derry, but this is a massive club and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.’’

West Ham were busy yesterday as, aside from signing Maguire, Sam Allardyce’s side edged closer to finalising a deal to sign Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole.

Cole, who started his career at Upton Park, yesterday underwent a medical at the club’s training ground after it emerged Liverpool are prepared to cancel the 31-year-old’s contract.

West Ham hope to finalise the deal today and it is understood that Liverpool will pay Cole a negotiated settlement in order to get his estimated £100,000-a-week salary off the wage bill.

The Hammers also announced yesterday that midfielder Yossi Benayoun has returned to his parent club Chelsea after making just six appearances for the club during a loan spell that was blighted by injury.

“West Ham United can confirm that the loan of @YossiBenayoun15 has ended and he has returned to @chelseafc,” a statement on West Ham’s Twitter feed read.

“The club would like to thank Yossi for his efforts during his second spell with the Hammers and wish him the best of luck for his future career.”