Atherton switches allegiance 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 the side's U17 and U18.

The 17-year-old, who joined the Glenavon academy at four years old, 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 that he would "dream" of representing Northern Ireland at the finals of the competition and that attending the announcement was a moment he would "remember forever".