Atherton made history in September 2022 when he became the youngest senior footballer in the United Kingdom at 13 years and 329 days, when he played for Glenavon in the Northern Ireland League Cup.
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The 17-year-old moved from Glenavon, who he had been with since the age of four, to Chelsea’s academy in July 2025 before signing a professional contract in October.
Atherton represented Northern Ireland at under-16 and under-17 level, and was a youth ambassador at the announcement in Nyon of the UK and Ireland’s successful bid to host Euro 2028 in October 2023, but has now switched his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland.
Speaking at his team’s announcement for the World Cup play-off semi-final in Italy, O’Neill said: “Every player has the right to make that decision.”
“He is a young player who was initially in the Republic of Ireland team,” he continued.
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“He came back to be part of our organization and I think Chris played maybe 17 times for representative teams for us.
“But every player has the right to make that decision, and obviously he already made that decision.”
O’Neill also referred to the decision of Omari Kellyman, who is on loan at Cardiff City from Chelsea and moved to England from Northern Ireland in 2023.
Northern Ireland has also benefited from changes in allegiance, with Jamie Donley and Ronan Hale leaving England and the Republic of Ireland respectively in the last 12 months.
“We can’t handcuff them to a decision they made initially,” O’Neill added.
“They have the right to make that decision once in their career, and Chris has decided to make that decision.
“We can only wish him the best.”