Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill says Chris Atherton’s move to the Republic of Ireland is “disappointing but we have to accept it”.
Atherton made history in September 2022 when he became Britain’s youngest senior footballer at the age of 13 years and 329 days when he represented Glenavon in Northern Ireland’s League Cup tie.
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The 17-year-old joined Chelsea’s academy in July 2025 from Glenavon, where he had been playing since the age of four, and signed a professional contract in October.
Atherton represented Northern Ireland at under-16 and under-17 level and served as youth ambassador when Nyon announced Great Britain and Ireland’s successful bid to host Euro 2028 in October 2023, but has now switched allegiance to the Republic of Ireland.
“Every player has the right to make a choice,” O’Neill said when announcing the squad for the Italy World Cup play-off semi-finals.
“He’s a young player who originally played in the Republic of Ireland,” he continued.
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“He came back and became part of our squad and I think Chris made 17 appearances for us.
“But every player has the right to make that choice and obviously he has made that choice.”
O’Neill also mentioned the decision of Omari Kellyman, who is on loan at Cardiff City from Chelsea and will move to England from Northern Ireland in 2023.
Northern Ireland has also benefited from a change of allegiance, with Jamie Donley and Ronan Hale switching from England and the Republic of Ireland respectively in the past 12 months.
“We can’t tie them to the decision they made in the first place,” O’Neill added.
“They have the right to make that choice once in their career and Chris has decided to make that choice.
“We can only wish him the best.”
