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Christopher Atherton

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Christopher Atherton
Personal information
Date of birth (2008-10-19) 19 October 2008 (age 16)
Position(s) Midfielder, forward
Team information
Current team
 Glenavon
Number 17
Youth career
2014–2022 Glenavon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Glenavon 6 (0)
International career‡
2022–2023 Northern Ireland U16 9 (1)
2023– Northern Ireland U17 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 06:44, 31 July 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18 May 2024

Christopher Atherton (born 19 October 2008) is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Glenavon.

Club career

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Atherton joined Glenavon at the age of five, as his elder brother was already enrolled in the club's academy.[1] At the age of six, he was already playing at under-10 level, playing against players three years older than him.[1] He also played Gaelic football as a youth, playing as a full forward for Maghery.[1] He chose to focus on association football in the summer of 2022, when given the choice to represent Glenavon at the SuperCupNI, as the Northern Irish side finished runners-up to English side Charlton Athletic.[1]

He trained with the Glenavon senior squad for the first time at the end of the 2021–22 season, at the age of thirteen.[1] Manager Gary Hamilton was quoted as describing Atherton as "the best young player [he's] seen come through".[1]

Atherton made his debut for Glenavon in a 6–0 Irish League Cup win against Dollingstown on 13 September 2022. Coming on as a substitute, he recorded an assist for Glenavon's sixth goal.[2][3] In doing so, he became the youngest player ever in the United Kingdom, at 13 years and 329 days, breaking the record held by Scottish footballer Jordan Allan.[3][4] The decision to play Atherton at such a young age drew criticism from some, with former Northern Irish international footballer Gareth McAuley disagreeing with the decision, suggesting that Glenavon had only handed Atherton his debut to garner a higher fee if he were to move to the academy of another side.[1]

Following his debut, he drew the attention of English Premier League sides Chelsea and Manchester City, going on trial with the former, also spending time trialling with Scottish sides Dundee United and Rangers.[3] In February 2023, Atherton was reported to have joined Chelsea, having been pictured at the club's stadium, Stamford Bridge, holding the club's kit.[5] However, with no confirmation from either club, it is unclear when this deal will go through.

International career

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Atherton is eligible to represent Northern Ireland, Scotland, as his father was born in Glasgow, and the Republic of Ireland, trialling with the youth side of the latter in 2021.[1]

He was called up to the Northern Ireland under-16 squad for a mini tournament in October 2022, playing against Finland and Estonia, scoring against the latter.[6][7] He was called up again for the Victory Shield, getting an assist against Wales in a 2–0 win.[8][9] Having made a further four appearances in friendly matches in 2023 he was called up to the Northern Ireland under-17 squad later in the same year.[10]

Style of play

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A player with a low centre of gravity, Atherton often takes players on during games, with Glenavon manager Gary Hamilton describing him as a player similar to Bernardo Silva or Phil Foden, able to play in both midfield and the forward line.[1][11]

Career statistics

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Club

[edit]
As of 8 October 2024.[12]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Glenavon NIFL Premiership 2022–23 2 0 0 0 1[a] 0 1[b] 0 4 0
2024–25 4 0 0 0 1[a] 0 2 1 7 1
Career total 6 0 0 0 2 0 3 1 10 1
  1. ^ a b Appearances in the Irish League Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League play-offs

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i O'Keeffe, Greg (25 September 2022). "Meet Christopher Atherton, 13, the United Kingdom's youngest ever senior footballer". theathletic.com. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  2. ^ Bailie, Keith (13 September 2022). "Glenavon's Christopher Atherton becomes the youngest footballer to play a senior match in the UK, aged 13". belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Luney, Graham (19 October 2022). "Chelsea and Manchester City among big clubs in hunt for teenage Glenavon ace Christopher Atherton". belfasttelegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Christopher Atherton: Glenavon teenager breaks record as UK's youngest senior footballer". bbc.co.uk. 13 September 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  5. ^ @chelseayouth (18 February 2023). "Chelsea have signed Christopher Atherton from Glenavon, where he made his senior debut as a 13 year-old last autumn. Has trialled across several top English clubs since" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ^ "Northern Ireland U16s set for mini tournament". irishfa.com. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  7. ^ "Northern Ireland U16s defeat Estonia". irishfa.com. 6 October 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  8. ^ "U16s get set for kick-off in Victory Shield". irishfa.com. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  9. ^ "U16s end Victory Shield campaign on winning note". irishfa.com. 4 November 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  10. ^ Christopher Atherton at WorldFootball.net
  11. ^ Hill Lopez-Menchero, Tomas (14 September 2022). "13-year-old Christopher Atherton becomes youngest senior footballer in UK". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  12. ^ Christopher Atherton at Soccerway
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