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.