Christopher Atherton debuted for Glenavon at the age of 13 years and 329 days.
Glenavon’s promising 16-year-old forward, Chris Atherton, has departed Mourneview Park to join Chelsea.
The Northern Ireland Under-17 international garnered significant attention in September 2022 when he became the youngest senior footballer in the United Kingdom at just 13 years and 329 days old.
The teenager, who had been with the Glenavon academy since the age of four, established the senior record by appearing as a second-half substitute for the Lurgan Blues in their 6-0 victory over Dollingstown in the BetMcLean Cup.
Atherton surpassed the previous record held by Jordan Allan, who played for Airdrie at 14 years and 191 days.
He was a consistent presence in Glenavon’s first team throughout the 2024-25 season, marking his first Irish Premiership goal against Loughgall in March, as Paddy McLaughlin’s squad finished 10th in the league.
Glenavon confirmed his departure via X, stating: “Chris Atherton – blue still the colour.
“We can confirm that academy product Chris Atherton has left the club to sign for Chelsea. We extend our best wishes to him in his career and hope that he and his family will remain familiar faces at MVP.”
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