Town Set to Sign Highly Rated Irish Youngster
Thursday, 16th Jul 2026 15:40
TWTD understands Town are set to sign highly regarded youngster Chris Atherton from Chelsea’s academy.
Right winger Atherton, 17, will go into the U18s squad but is also likely to feature for John McGreal and Chris Casement’s U21s in the season ahead.
Born in Clonmore, Atherton joined Glenavon aged five and made his debut for their first team in the Irish League Cup aged only 13, making him the youngest player to appear in a senior game in the UK.
Having made 32 appearances, scoring once, for the Lurgan-based club, Atherton moved on to Chelsea’s youth set-up in July 2025.
Atherton won Northern Irish caps at U16 and U17 levels before switching allegiance to the Republic of Ireland for whom he has been capped twice.
Photo: TWTD
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