Irish starlet Jamie McDonnell has signed a three-year contract at Nottingham Forest despite rival interest from Celtic, Rangers and West Bromwich Albion, according to the BBC.
It is certainly an exciting time to be a fan of Northern Irish football.
While the departure of legendary manager Michael O’Neil to Stoke City might have had some across the sea fearing the end of an era, a growing crop of budding youngsters has given plenty of hope for a bright future.
And former Glentoran midfielder McDonnell has become the latest Northern Irish starlet to make the move to England, following in the footsteps of Aston Villa-bound Caolan McBride and his new City Ground team-mate Dale Taylor.
The BBC reports that teenager McDonnell has had trials with Rangers and Sheffield United, while earning the admiration of both West Brom and Celtic after some seriously impressive performances for his country at youth level.
Belfast Live backs up such claims, stating that a three-year deal has been agreed with Nottingham Forest.
The two-time European champions have one of the most impressive academy systems in British football, with Patrick Bamford, Jamaal Lascelles, Joe Worrall, Matty Cash and Karl Darlow rising through the ranks in Garibaldi red.
And, in Sabri Lamouchi, McDonnell will be working alongside a coach who has no qualms whatsoever about throwing an untested youngster in at the deep end.
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