Father of wonderkid who is swapping N. Ireland for Republic responds after abuse

What a steal!

The 17-year-old has represented Northern Ireland at U17 level, and made the switch to Chelsea from NIFL side Glenavon last year.

He also has the distinction of being the youngest ever senior footballer in the UK, having made his debut for the Armagh team.

However, Atherton's father has spoken out on social media over abuse he and his son have received since his switch to the Republic.

He wrote on X: "Our family and our Son are on the receiving end of a lot of hatred this morning. Grateful for the opportunity to set the record straight. We won’t be commenting further and Christopher will continue to do his talking on the pitch."

Remembering that game his Glenavon debut, Atherton said: "I didn't really know what to do because it was just like out of nowhere.

"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."

After of his move to Chelsea Glenavon manager Paddy McLaughlin summed up the talent of the kid.

He said: "One of the most exciting talents I've ever seen in Irish football, north or south.

"It's how effortless he is running with the ball and past players, and I'm not talking about players in his own age group, I'm talking about senior players playing full-time football in the Irish League.

"He's gliding past them and terrorising defences on his own at 16 years of age. I've never seen it before.

"The only other player I could compare him to, and I don't want to put too much pressure on the young lad, but he's like [former Northern Ireland international] Paddy McCourt at Derry City before he got his move to Celtic."