The club is very pleased to announce that Rhys Walsh has signed for Sky Bet Championship club Sunderland.
Rhys (17) is the perfect example of a Glentoran Academy graduate, having joined the academy as a 10-year-old and developed through the ranks to make his first team debut last season in a 4-1 away win over Ards in the County Antrim Shield. Since then Rhys has made 8 appearances in total, most recently in last week’s Shield Final at Seaview.
Warren Feeney said of the move: “Obviously I have mixed feelings about losing Rhys as obviously he’s a player who I know would have gone on to do great things for Glentoran as he was already becoming a big favourite here. But on the other hand it’s a brilliant opportunity for Rhys as he’s joining a big club with a great record for developing young players and giving them their opportunity. Rhys is a very exciting player who can lift a game with his skill and directness, but he is also a strong and hard-working lad. I’m certain he’ll seize the opportunity and do very well there.
Rhys is a perfect example of the strength of the Glentoran Academy. Ewe currently have Johnny Russell and Aaron Wightman in the first team squad, Charlie Lindsay back from Derby County on loan and we have Casey Smyth out on loan to get experience with Dundela. Ollie Webber came through the Academy and young Lorcan Donnelly made his debut a couple of weeks ago. Rhys is the latest in a long line of our Academy players who have gone to good clubs in England so it’s a great place for developing young players.”
Everyone at Glentoran wishes Rhys every success in his new career in England.
