UK’s youngest senior footballer Atherton switches from NI to Republic of Ireland

Chelsea academy player and former Glenavon midfielder Chris Atherton has switched his international allegiance from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland.

Atherton made history during his time at the Lurgan Blues in September 2022 when he became the youngest senior footballer in the United Kingdom at 13 years and 329 days old.

The teenager has represented Northern Ireland at Under-16 and Under-17 level and scored one international goal.

Atherton moved from Glenavon to Chelsea’s academy in July 2025 before signing a professional contract in October and has been a regular in their U17 and U18 sides.

The 17-year-old, who joined Glenavon’s academy aged four, represented Northern Ireland as a youth ambassador at the announcement in Nyon for the UK and Ireland’s successful bid to host Euro 2028 in October 2023.

Speaking at the event, the then 14-year-old said he would “dream” of representing Northern Ireland at the finals of the competition and attending the announcement was a moment he would “remember forever”.

“Delighted for Christopher that this has finally went through,” his father Stephen wrote on X.

“Thanks to all the people at the FAI for their help and support during this process.”

With Atherton used as the ‘poster boy’ for the Euro 2028 campaign, this announcement could be considered a big blow for Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland have made huge strides in progressing their youth players with the JD Academy, but how much can they afford to lose some of the young prospects who looked like they would push through into the senior set-up?

Now, without Atherton, Northern Ireland have players such as Ceadach O’Neill at Arsenal, Michael Forbes, who is on loan from West Ham at Northampton, and George Feeney at Tottenham, across the water.

Atherton may try to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Sean Moore, who switched to the Republic of Ireland and has featured at under-21 level after playing for Northern Ireland U18s.

James McClean, Shane Duffy and Darron Gibson all went on to establish themselves with the Republic of Ireland after switching from Northern Ireland.