Former Irish League youngsters available as free agents after English club releases
Northern Ireland youngsters Michael Forbes and Rhys Walsh are available as free agents after being released by West Ham United and Sunderland respectively.
Forbes, who came through the ranks of Cookstown Youth and Dungannon Swifts before earning a dream move to the Hammers, spent last term on loan at League One outfit Northampton Town, making 22 appearances.
The 22-year-old was a top performer for West Ham’s youth teams during his time at the London Stadium, assuming captaincy duties for the U21s, and also gained further senior experience at Bristol Rovers.
Forbes captained Northern Ireland’s U21s during this month’s friendly defeat to Portugal and is already a senior international having made his debut against Finland in 2023.
The centre-back was included in West Ham’s squad for a Conference League clash away to FCSB in November 2022 and was hailed as a “great character and professional” by Hammers legend Mark Noble, who serves as the club’s sporting director.
West Ham have frequently looked to Northern Ireland for talent with the likes of Callum Marshall, Patrick Kelly, Sean Moore Josh Briggs and Joel Kerr all signing for the London club.
Meanwhile, Sunderland have confirmed 19-year-old attacker Walsh will be departing the club this summer after making 10 appearances for their U21s in Premier League 2 last season.
Walsh played three times in the Premiership and also featured in Europe for Glentoran before joining the Black Cats in 2024.
The Belfast teenager has represented Northern Ireland up to U19 level and gained senior experience during a loan move to South Shields in 2025.