| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher Atherton[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (2008-10-19)19 October 2008 (age 17) | ||
| Place of birth | Armagh, Northern Ireland[2] | ||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder,forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Chelsea | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2014–2022 | Glenavon | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022–2025 | Glenavon | 26 | (1) |
| 2025– | Chelsea | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2022–2023 | Northern Ireland U16 | 7 | (1) |
| 2023– | Northern Ireland U17 | 11 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 20:44, 19 April 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 25 March 2025 | |||
Christopher Atherton (born 19 October 2008) is a Northern Irishfootballer who plays as amidfielder forChelsea.
Atherton joinedGlenavon at the age of five, as his elder brother was already enrolled in the club's academy.[3] At the age of six, he was already playing at under-10 level, playing against players three years older than him.[3] He also playedGaelic football as a youth, playing as afull forward forMaghery.[3] He chose to focus on association football in the summer of 2022, when given the choice to represent Glenavon at theSuperCupNI, as the Northern Irish side finished runners-up to English sideCharlton Athletic.[3]
He trained with the Glenavon senior squad for the first time at the end of the 2021–22 season, at the age of thirteen.[3] ManagerGary Hamilton was quoted as describing Atherton as "the best young player [he's] seen come through".[3]
Atherton made his debut for Glenavon in a 6–0Irish League Cup win againstDollingstown on 13 September 2022. Coming on as a substitute, he recorded an assist for Glenavon's sixth goal.[4][5] 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 footballerJordan Allan.[5][6] The decision to play Atherton at such a young age drew criticism from some, with former Northern Irish international footballerGareth 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.[3]
Following his debut, he drew the attention of EnglishPremier League sidesChelsea andManchester City, going on trial with the former, also spending time trialling with Scottish sidesDundee United andRangers.[5] In February 2023, Atherton was reported to have joinedChelsea, having been pictured at the club's stadium,Stamford Bridge, holding the club's kit.[7]
On 3 July 2025, Glenavon confirmed that Atherton had moved toChelsea.[8]
Atherton is eligible to represent Northern Ireland, Scotland, as his father was born inGlasgow, and the Republic of Ireland, trialling with the youth side of the latter in 2021.[3]
He was called up to theNorthern Ireland under-16 squad for a mini tournament in October 2022, playing againstFinland andEstonia, scoring against the latter.[9][10] He was called up again for theVictory Shield, getting an assist againstWales in a 2–0 win.[11][12] Having made a further four appearances infriendly matches in 2023 he was called up to the Northern Ireland under-17 squad later in the same year.[13]
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 toBernardo Silva orPhil Foden, able to play in both midfield and the forward line.[3][14]
| 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 | 24 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 2 | 1 | 30 | 2 | ||
| Career total | 26 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 34 | 2 | ||