Defender Michael Forbes traded life in rural Northern Ireland for the bustling surroundings of east London in the summer of 2020 when he penned a two-year Scholarship deal at the Academy of Football.

County Tyrone-born Forbes assumed the role of U18s captain in 2021/22, and made his first U23s start in December 2021, helping his side to a 4-2 win at Crystal Palace. The season would end with Forbes making 23 outings for the U18s and three for the U23s, all in Premier League 2 action, and the signing of a first professional contract in May 2022.

Forbes would be a regular in the heart of defence for the development team at the start of 2022/23, and would be involved in the senior team squad for the UEFA Europa Conference League Group B clash away to FCSB in November 2022. Unfortunately, a run of injuries ruled him out during the second half of the season, ending Forbes' campaign with 19 appearances in all competitions.

A productive 2023/24 season saw Forbes feature 14 times for the U21s, including wearing the captain's armband in the EFL Trophy round of 16 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers, put pen to paper on a new deal with the Hammers until June 2026, and make his senior international debut for Northern Ireland against Finland in the UEFA Nations League in November 2023.

At the start of 2024/25, Forbes was loaned to EFL League One club Bristol Rovers, for whom he featured 12 times in all competitions until being recalled in January 2025 after picking up an injury. Later the same month, he linked up with League Two outfit Colchester United for the remainder of the campaign.