HIGHLY-rated Republic of Ireland U21 international Chris Atherton has signed for Premier League new boys Ipswich Town.
The former Maghery GAA and Glenavon star has made the switch to Portman Road from Chelsea’s Academy, Ipswich Town forum TWTD.co.uk (Those Were the Days) has confirmed.
The 17-year-old who was capped at underage level by Northern Ireland before switching international allegiance to the Republic will go into the Ipswich U18 squad when the move is confirmed and is also expected to feature for the club’s U20 side.
Atherton became the youngest player to feature at senior level when appeared for Glenavon in an Irish Cup tie aged 13 years and 329 days.
He went on to make 32 appearances for the Lurgan Blues before signing for Chelsea and will now join the already significant Irish presence at his new club. Ipswich are captained by Dara O’Shea and also have Jack Taylor, Kasey McAteer, Chiedozie Ogbene and Sammie Szmodics on their books.
Another former Glenavon player switched clubs recently. Belfast’s Mark Sykes moved from Bristol City to London’s Millwall on a two-year deal. The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder was released by Bristol City at the end of last season having spent four seasons at Ashton Gate, scoring 18 goals in 153 appearances in all competitions.
