West Ham have allowed young prospect Joe Powell to join League Two Northampton Town on loan until the end of the season.
The Irons confirmed the news via their official club website on Monday afternoon.
The 20-year-old midfielder has been a key member of the Hammers’ U23 side this campaign, scoring seven goals and laying on another six assists in just 12 appearances.
Powell also made his first team debut earlier this term, with the versatile academy graduate providing a brace of assists in the 8-0 demolition of Macclesfield Town at the end of September.
OPINION
This is a smart move from West Ham. The Hammers have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to young talent coming through the ranks, but Powell appears to be one of the more promising members of that pack. A versatile and intelligent midfielder, his stats this season speak for themselves. Thirteen goal involvements in just 12 matches is a remarkable return, especially for a midfielder, and the next logical step was always going to loaning him out somewhere to gain vital first team experience. League football is exactly what the 20-year-old needs right now to continue his impressive development, and it will toughen him up and teach him how to deal with the intensity of senior football. U23s competition is good for fitness, but it is no substitute for actual competitive minutes, and with a few months at that level under his belt, who’s to say how good Powell can be when he returns to the London Stadium.