Academy manager Sammy Morgan says the Blues have pulled off a coup by signing highly-rated Northern Irish youngster Josh Carson. The 16-year-old midfielder or striker will join the club as a full-time scholar in the summer.

Morgan told TWTD: "He's played for Northern Ireland and we've seen him a number of occasions and we're delighted we signed him.

"There were a lot of clubs chasing him and it's taken a lot of work by the scouts, [recruitment officer] Malcolm Moore and ourselves to secure his signature. He's a bright young talent and it's a bit of a coup for the club to sign him.

"There's also a lad called Rory McKeown [a defender], who is also in the Northern Ireland team, who we're also taking. Those boys have committed themselves and we're delighted.

"There are one or two other things in the pipeline, but we've got nothing wrapped up yet.”

Antrim-based Carson, who has played for Northern Ireland's U17s in addition to captaining their U16s, played for Town's U15s at last summer's Galway Cup and was named the Player of the Tournament.

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