Middlesbrough sign Northern Ireland youth international Eamonn Tohill

Middlesbrough's Rockliffe Park training complex <i>(Image: Google)</i>
Middlesbrough's Rockliffe Park training complex (Image: Google)
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MIDDLESBROUGH have added to their academy ranks, with a promising Northern Ireland youth international joining the club.

Sixteen-year-old striker Eamonn Tohill has signed a scholarship deal with Boro.

The teenager came through the ranks at Cliftonville and made his first-team debut from the bench late on in a 5-2 Premiership victory over Glenavon in December, just three months after turning 16.

Tohill is a Northern Ireland Under-17 international and late last year scored in a 2-1 win over Armenia that helped seal a place in the elite round of the Euro 2026 qualifiers.

The forward will obviously link up with the academy and initially play for the Under-18s.

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After completing his move to Boro, Tohill posted on Instagram: "Delighted to sign for Middlesbrough.

"The hard work continues. Thank you to Cliftonville for the last four years."

On X, the 'All Things ILF' account, which covers Northern Irish football, posted: "Best of luck to Cliftonville striker Eamonn Tohill, who joins Middlesbrough on a scholarship deal.

"Yet another exciting young talent making the move across the water from the @CliftonvilleFDC."

Cliftonville take great pride in their development of young players and boss Jim Magilton handed senior debuts to seven academy youngsters last season.

As well as developing their own talent at Rockliffe, Boro - led by head of academy recruitment Martin Carter - constantly have an eye on young players elsewhere.

They previously signed Djed Spence after he was released by Fulham, and after selling the full-back to Tottenham in a £20m deal, Boro benefited further last week when the England international joined Inter Milan.

Boro inserted a sell-on in the deal when Spence left the Riverside, meaning they were in line to receive 15% of any profit Spurs made.

Boro have plucked players from non-league in the past, Isaiah Jones being one of them.

Last year, they added to their Under-21 ranks by moving for Ezra Tika-Lemba, DJ Bernard and Cayden Cole, who'd all come through the academy system at Premier League clubs.

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