Who is Chelsea's new teenage signing Atherton?

It seemed only a matter of time before teenager Chris Atherton would sign for a major club. The 16-year-old forward's dream has come true as Irish Premiership club Glenavon confirmed on Thursday that he has signed for Chelsea.

Atherton made headlines in September 2022 when he became the youngest senior footballer in the United Kingdom at 13 years and 329 years old.

Indeed, he missed out on becoming the youngest senior player in the world by just 10 days, that record being held by Souleymane Mamam, who played for Togo in a World Cup qualifier against Zambia in May 2001 at 13 years and 319 days.

Having joined the Glenavon academy at four years old, the Northern Ireland Under-17 international broke the United Kingdom record when he came on as a second-half substitute for the Lurgan Blues during a 6-0 win over Dollingstown in the BetMcLean Cup.

He was a first-team regular for Glenavon throughout the 2024-25 season, scoring his first Irish Premiership goal against Loughgall in March as his club finished 10th in the 12-team top division in Northern Ireland domestic football.

Asked to recall the publicity garnered by his debut appearance for Glenavon in September 2022 when he was handed his senior bow by then manager Gary Hamilton, Atherton said that it was a "crazy" period.

"I didn't really know what to do because it was just like out of nowhere," he said.

"Before the game I thought it would just be normal, because I was in training with them so I didn't realise it would be that big of a deal.

"It was only really when I walked out getting food after the game, my phone started blowing up with everything. It was everywhere. There were already articles and stuff on it, I didn't expect it to be that big.

"At first I enjoyed it and then it got a bit much. I just kind of turned my phone on silent and looked by it and tried to just focus on my football."

Former Northern Ireland international and prolific Irish League goalscorer Gary Hamilton was the Glenavon manager who gave Atherton his debut.

Speaking to BBC Sport NI after the young player broke through at Mourneview Park Hamilton spoke of the attributes Atherton possessed at such a young age.

"He has attracted a lot of interest from across the water and he's just got so much ability and talent.

"He goes away from here and he works hard away from the game as well. He eats right, he sleeps right and does the right things.

"Talent only gets you so far, you need to have the rest of it as well, and he does that.

"Everybody knows when you're a good footballer but he's so humble about it and so quiet off the pitch. Then when he goes onto the pitch he has that air of confidence about him and goes and believes in himself on the football pitch and he delivers.

"The players couldn't believe how good a player he is for his age."

Prodigious talent Atherton was introduced to the international stage when he represented Northern Ireland as a youth ambassador at the announcement in Nyon of 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".

Atherton explained that one of his biggest thrills at the event was speaking to one of his heroes, former Wales international and ex-Tottenham and Real Madrid player Gareth Bale.

"I've had a quick chat with him a couple of photos and stuff, just fantastic. One of my idols growing up and to be alongside him is just special," added the Northern Ireland youngster.

The impact of his debut at such a young age provoked the Irish FA to change its own rules at their June 2023 annual general meeting with players now having to be aged 16 by the end of that particular season before they can play senior football.

The Irish FA's rule change meant Atherton could no longer train with Glenavon during the 2023-24 season or even player for the reserves, instead having to restrict his club action to the Lurgan Blues' under-18 side.

But Atherton has got on with his football and continuing development has led to interest from Premier League clubs in addition to earning a place in his country's Under-17 and Victory Shield squads.