UK’s youngest senior player Atherton joins Chelsea

Chris Atherton, 16, has left Mourneview Park to join Chelsea.

At 13 years and 329 days old, the Northern Ireland Under-17 international, who was 13 years and 329 days old, became the youngest senior football player in the United Kingdom in September 2022, made headlines.

When the teenager started for the Lurgan Blues in a 6-0 victory over Dollingstown in the BetMcLean Cup, he broke the senior record by starting as a substitute for the Lurgan Blues.

Atherton overcame Jordan Allan’s previous record, which was 14 years, 191 days, in Airdrie.

He started for Glenavon regularly throughout the 2024-2019 campaign, scoring his first Irish Premiership goal against Loughgall in March as Paddy McLaughlin’s side finished 10th overall.

Glenavon made the announcement on X by posting that Chris Atherton’s blue is still the color.