Christopher Atherton

Atherton joined Glenavon at the age of five, as his elder brother was already enrolled in the club's academy.{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/3624303/2022/09/25/christopher-atherton-13-uk-youngest-footballer/|title=Meet Christopher Atherton, 13, the United Kingdom's youngest ever senior footballer|first=Greg|last=O'Keeffe|date=25 September 2022|accessdate=7 January 2023|website=theathletic.com}} At the age of six, he was already playing at under-10 level, playing against players three years older than him. He also played Gaelic football as a youth, playing as a full forward for Maghery. 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.

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

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/glenavon/glenavons-christopher-atherton-becomes-the-youngest-footballer-to-play-a-senior-match-in-the-uk-aged-13-41987143.html|title=Glenavon's Christopher Atherton becomes the youngest footballer to play a senior match in the UK, aged 13|first=Keith|last=Bailie|date=13 September 2022|accessdate=7 January 2023|website=belfasttelegraph.co.uk}}{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/irish-league/glenavon/chelsea-and-manchester-city-among-big-clubs-in-hunt-for-teenage-glenavon-ace-christopher-atherton-42077749.html|title=Chelsea and Manchester City among big clubs in hunt for teenage Glenavon ace Christopher Atherton|first=Graham|last=Luney|date=19 October 2022|accessdate=7 January 2023|website=belfasttelegraph.co.uk}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62897652|title=Christopher Atherton: Glenavon teenager breaks record as UK's youngest senior footballer|date=13 September 2022|accessdate=7 January 2023|website=bbc.co.uk}} 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.

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. 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.{{cite tweet|user=chelseayouth|number=1626963720327905280|title=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.}} However, with no confirmation from either club, it is unclear when this deal will go through.

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.

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishfa.com/news/2022/september/northern-ireland-u16s-set-for-mini-tournament|title=Northern Ireland U16s set for mini tournament|date=30 September 2022|accessdate=21 February 2023|website=irishfa.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.irishfa.com/news/2022/october/northern-ireland-u16s-defeat-estonia|title=Northern Ireland U16s defeat Estonia|date=6 October 2022|accessdate=21 February 2023|website=irishfa.com}} He was called up again for the Victory Shield, getting an assist against Wales in a 2–0 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishfa.com/news/2022/october/u16s-get-set-for-kick-off-in-victory-shield|title=U16s get set for kick-off in Victory Shield|date=26 October 2022|accessdate=21 February 2023|website=irishfa.com}}{{cite web|url=https://www.irishfa.com/news/2022/november/u16s-end-victory-shield-campaign-on-winning-note|title=U16s end Victory Shield campaign on winning note|date=4 November 2022|accessdate=21 February 2023|website=irishfa.com}} 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.{{WorldFootball.net|chris-atherton}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/glenavon/story/4745928/13-year-old-becomes-youngest-senior-footballer-in-uk|title=13-year-old Christopher Atherton becomes youngest senior footballer in UK|first=Tomas|last=Hill Lopez-Menchero|date=14 September 2022|accessdate=7 January 2023|website=espn.co.uk}}

{{updated|8 October 2024}}.{{Soccerway|christopher-atherton/904573}}

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Category:2008 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Northern Ireland of Scottish descent

Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland

Category:21st-century sportsmen from Northern Ireland

Category:Northern Ireland men's youth international footballers

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Men's association football forwards

Category:NIFL Premiership players

Category:Glenavon F.C. players