West Ham striker joins on loan
Neal Ardley has bolstered his attacking options before the close of the emergency loan window with the addition of West Ham striker Paul McCallum.
The highly-rated 19-year-old, raised in Streatham, has been in prolific form for West Ham Under-21s this season and Neal Ardley wasted no time chasing his signature once he was aware of McCallum’s availability.
McCallum has signed an initial one-month loan deal and is eligible for the FA Cup second tie at Milton Keynes.
Neal Ardley has today also taken the opportunity to strengthen by bringing in former Kettering Town midfielder Ryan Hervel, who has signed on a short-term deal as he has been without a club.
Speaking to Dons Player about the two new signings, the Wimbledon manager said: “We have a busy period coming up and we are in a dogfight. Good players like this do not become available too often so we have to utilise them.
“We have had rave reviews about Paul. I have had contacts ringing me up and telling me how good a player he is and I have spoken to Ian Hendon, his U21s manager at West Ham, and he believes Paul will be ideal for us. He is a big, strong lad, who links the play up well.
“Ryan was at Kettering at the start of the season, but he had to leave due to financial problems at the club. With us having so many loan players, it was a good opportunity to sign Ryan, who was without a club. I watched Ryan at the Bailey Elite Academy and he has very good qualities, which can help us out. It is also a chance for Ryan to prove himself before January.”
McCallum made his name at Dulwich Hamlet and his goals attracted the interest of a host of Premier League clubs. The striker chose the Hammers though, citing their reputation for bringing young players through as a key reason, and he is viewed as one for the future by the West Ham coaching staff after shaking off a serious injury last season.
Visit Dons Player later for video interviews with McCallum, along with Neal Ardley and Ryan Hervel.