Spurs and West Ham will wince at what's happened in Ireland | OneFootball

Ex-Spurs academy frontman and former West Ham transfer target Troy Parrott stole headlines with a brilliant solo goal for Ireland on Thursday

Troy Parrott is becoming more and more like the one that got away from Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United are starting to feel a similar pain, too.

The 24-year-old, like almost every striker who came through the Spurs academy in the late 2010s, was bigged up to be their next Harry Kane. With over a goal a game for their Under-18s side, there was evidence to back up that claim.

It never worked out for him in North London, with numerous lacklustre loan spells across the EFL with the likes of Millwall and Preston North End in the Championship and Ipswich Town and MK Dons in League One — albeit he did net 10 in all competitions with the latter.

Since permanently leaving Spurs, though, Parrott has gone from strength to strength. He almost returned to England to join Championship outfit West Ham United in the summer, but instead secured a La Liga move to Real Betis, and is showcasing his top-flight qualities on international duty.

Troy Parrott stole the show with a brilliant solo goal for Ireland against Austria

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We're nearing the end of the longest international break ever seen, with top-flight and Championship clubs back in action next weekend.

European sides have kicked off their Nations League campaigns over the past couple of weeks, and for Ireland, the star man of this particular international window has been Parrott, who has three goals in as many games and netted a brace as the Boys in Green let a two-goal lead slip against Austria on Thursday.

His first goal, especially, stole headlines across Europe, as he slalomed past a couple of Austria defenders, sliding the ball through the legs of Philipp Leinhart, before slotting it past Florian Wiegele to give his side the lead.

Heimir Hallgrimsson's side would ultimately concede twice in six second-half minutes to draw the game 2-2, but that didn't take away from what was a brilliant performance from Parrott.

Tottenham Hotspur will look on in envy as Troy Parrott goes from strength to strength

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Parrott showed his promise during his fifth loan spell away from Tottenham during the 2023/24 campaign. Crucially, this was his first away from the EFL, as he joined Eredivisie side Excelsior.

The Dutch outfit were relegated that season, but not for the lack of effort from Parrott, who netted 17 in 32 games in all competitions, including two hat-tricks in relegation play-off games.

Spurs used that season to cash in on their academy prospect, banking a reported £6.7 million as he made a permanent switch to the Netherlands to sign for AZ Alkmaar.

Unfortunately for Tottenham, though, that one season with Exelsior wasn't just a one-off. He averaged over a goal every other game across his two years at AZ, netting 51 in 97 appearances.

The Irishman helped his side win their first major honour in 13 years last season, winning the Dutch Cup. He scored five and assisted five in their run to the trophy, including one of each in the 5-1 drubbing of NEC in the final.

West Ham United almost brought Troy Parrott back to England this past summer

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Understandably, after three seasons of being one of the best goalscorers in Holland, there were rumours of him moving on to a new challenge in the summer, perhaps back in England, as recently relegated West Ham looked to persuade him to lead their line as they pursued an immediate return to the Premier League.

Reports in early August stated that the Hammers were keen on making him the Championship's most expensive player, readying a £17.5 million bid.

Unfortunately, they weren't able to bring the Irishman to the second tier. The 24-year-old is evidently at the level to test himself in one of the top five European leagues, and it was La Liga outfit Real Betis who secured his services for a reported £17.1 million.

Troy Parrott could find his way back to the Premier League sooner rather than later

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Parrott currently shares league minutes with former Watford striker Cucho Hernandez, as Betis have started the campaign as one of the main frontrunners in the Spanish top flight.

He's started just two La Liga games for Manuel Pellegrini's side, with a goal and an assist in 170 minutes. That goal proved the difference in their 1-0 win over Real Madrid last month.

The 24-year-old also netted on his Champions League debut in their 3-2 win at Lille to open their continental campaign on the front foot, too. Ideally, he'd be starting more games in La Liga, but it's been a strong start to life in Spain for the Irishman.

The goals he's scored while on international duty over the past couple of weeks have only served to heighten the excitement around him, too, and it may not be long before he finds his way back to the Premier League.

If he does, then you feel that both West Ham