Chelsea academy prospect Chris Atherton has formally switched his allegiance from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland.
The midfielder has represented the six counties up to under-17 level and led them as a youth ambassador at the Euro 2028 launch in Nyon in October 2023.
But Northern Ireland have since been removed from the cross-country bid with Scotland, England and Wales as Casement Park’s renovation has been delayed.
And the 17-year-old has opted to shift his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland with aspirations of breaking into the under-19 international squad in the near future.
Stepping up the ranks would be no mystery to the Armagh midfielder, who became the youngest player in Irish League history when he made his Glenavon debut at 13 years and 329 days in September 2022.
The teenager, who grew up mixing codes as he also played for Maghery Seán MacDermotts GAA club, appeared 32 times and scored once for the Lurgan Blues before joining Chelsea last summer.
“Our son is Irish - Christopher wants to play for Ireland,” Atherton’s father Stephen told the Belfast Newsletter.
“For Christopher it was never about accumulating international caps early and always about following his heart.
“I’m sure that all right thinking members of the community in the North will respect and understand that.
“As a family we wish nothing but success for the IFA in the years to come.
“Christopher was on the FAI emerging talent programme from 12 years of age and it simply wasn’t feasible to continue to attend training sessions in Dublin with that group as they increased in frequency throughout his high school years and commitments with Glenavon at senior level.
“As soon as Christopher left school and moved to London there was no logistical impediment to him representing Ireland and that is where his heart and ambitions lie.”
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