Belfast Live

Northern Ireland teenager George Feeney has signed his first professional contract with Tottenham. Feeney - the son of former international striker Warren - joined Spurs last summer from Glentoran.

The 17-year-old has become a firm fixture in the London club's Under-18 squad this season and has gone on to score two goals in 12 appearances.

Feeney had been on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs including Chelsea, West Ham United and Everton, but Spurs won the race to sign the versatile midfielder.

The teenager - who has represented both Northern Ireland and Wales at underage level - has already trained with Ange Postecoglou's first-team squad at Tottenham.

His pro deal will be another proud day for father Warren, the former Cardiff City striker who won 46 caps for Northern Ireland. Warren also managed Linfield and Glentoran in the Irish League.

Tottenham said on their website: "We are delighted to announce that George Feeney has signed his first professional contract with the Club. The 17-year-old, who joined us last year from Glentoran, has been a regular starter in midfield for our Under-18s this season.

"To date, he has made 12 appearances at that level, scoring twice. Prior to joining us, George made 10 senior appearances for Glentoran and became their youngest-ever goalscorer when he netted against Dollingstown in the League Cup, aged 15.

"On the international stage, George has represented both Wales and Northern Ireland at youth level."

Feeney made his first team debut for Glentoran at the age of 15 when his father was Oval boss, coming off the bench in a County Antrim Shield win over Crusaders.

He went on to make his League debut against Newry City and then became Glentoran's youngest ever goal scorer when he netted against Dollingstown in the BetMcLean Cup.

A former Glentoran youngster continues to make the headlines in England after securing a move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

George Feeney swapped the Oval for London after earning a big move to Tottenham's Academy back in July.

The 16-year-old attacker - who made nine senior appearances at the Glens - is the son of former Northern Ireland striker, and ex-Glentoran manager, Warren Feeney.

Born in Wales, Feeney jnr made his senior debut for Glentoran in September 2023 in the County Antrim Shield against Crusaders, and scored his first senior goal in the NIFL League Cup against Dollingstown the following month.

And now the teenager is making his mark at Tottenham, and continues to impress for the club's Under 18 side.

Tottenham News recently did a feature on Feeney, and say Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou will be "keeping a close eye" on the youngster.

They said: "It has been a mixed start to the season for Spurs’ Under-18s. After winning their opening three matches in the Under-18 Premier League, they went three straight games without a win, drawing twice and losing once.

"However, they returned to winning ways in the competition on Saturday (28 September), beating Reading’s Under-18s 1-0 at Hotspur Way. It was Lucá Williams-Barnett who headed Stuart Lewis’ side to victory, as the 16-year-old continued his blistering start to the season.

"However, there was another player who shone in North London on Saturday, 16-year-old Feeney.

"Feeney arrived at Tottenham this summer, with Alasdair Gold reporting via Football London (25 June), that Spurs beat out several Premier League sides to sign the youngster from Glentoran. His arrival drew high praise from Spurs youth expert John Wenham, with the owner of the reputable Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose insisting he was excited to see him in action. And it is clear to see why Wenham was thrilled by the signing.

"Feeney has been thrown in at the deep end with Spurs’ Under-18s, thus far playing every minute of the club’s Under-18 Premier League campaign. However, he hasn’t looked out of place at all, scoring once while providing three assists across his six appearances in what is his first season in English football.

"He shone once again against Reading, with Spurs’ official website (28 September) describing the “sublime” pass he played to Ellis Lehane, who has also made a bright start to the season. Therefore, considering his fast start in English football, Postecoglou is likely keeping a close eye on him.

"The Australian has shown that he is willing to throw youngsters in at the deep end, with Mikey Moore a recent example of that, and this will only encourage Feeney to continue performing at a high level."

There are certainly high hopes for Feeney, who qualifies to play for both Northern Ireland and Wales at international level.

His famous father Warren won 46 caps for Northern Ireland and scored five goals, while the teen's grandad Warren senior played once for Northern Ireland in 1976 when he was with Glentoran.

His great grandad Jimmy played twice for Ireland before the IFA/FAI split.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are among the clubs tracking a young Irish League teenager who made history last week.

The London giants are keeping tabs on Luke Hawe who became Ballymena United's youngest ever player on Tuesday night.

Hawe featured for the Sky Blues in their County Antrim Shield win over Ballymacash Rangers. Jim Ervin's side will now play Cliftonville in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Forward Hawe - who is just 15 years and four months - came off the bench to replace Ben Kennedy, who scored alongside Ethan Devine to earn Ballymena their win.

United boss Ervin says Hawe didn't look out of place after making his debut.

He told Ballymena's website: "Fair play to Luke, he has come into the group this season and he has deserved his opportunity. He didn't do himself any harm, you wouldn't have thought looking at him tonight that he is 15.

"He has a bright future and we look forward to seeing what else he can bring to us in the coming weeks and months.

"I'm sure it's a proud moment for him and his family. He's a special talent and one to keep an eye on for us."