Blackburn Rovers and Charlton Athletic amongst clubs 'eyeing move' for former Irish League star
Former Irish League star Mark Sykes is reportedly the subject of transfer interest from a trio of Championship clubs with his Bristol City contract set to expire this summer.
Sykes was a standout performer for Glenavon during a successful period under Gary Hamilton, coming through the club’s youth ranks before making over 130 senior appearances.
The midfielder was involved in the Lurgan Blues squad which celebrated Irish Cup glory in 2016 following a 2-0 final victory against Linfield.
Sykes scored 16 goals in 117 Premiership outings for Glenavon, including nine during the 2017/18 campaign, and earned a move to English club Oxford United in January 2019.
The 28-year-old spent three years playing for the Us in League One before signing for Championship outfit Bristol City in 2022.
Republic of Ireland international Sykes has since racked up 140 appearances in England’s second-tier, including 37 this term.
With his contract set to expire, Football Insider have reported Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers and Charlton Athletic are all “eyeing moves” for Sykes as a free agent.
Hamilton tipped Sykes for a bright future after handing him a senior opportunity at Glenavon and in 2022 predicted he had the ability to play at the highest level.
“He's still young and personally I'd be very surprised if he doesn't go on to play in the Premier League in the future,” Hamilton told Bristol Live at the time. “He's a player that will excite people, he has confidence in himself and he has the ability to make things happen in the final third.
"He's also started to add goals to his game.
“The ability he has is frightening and if he keeps his feet on the ground, he'll end up playing in the Premier League at some stage. He’ll only get better.
"Players like Stuart Dallas and Gareth McAuley played in our league and Sykes is probably similar to those lads.
“They were grounded in the Irish League and it took them a couple of years at League Two and League One level to find the physical side and the fitness side.
“They then moved up to the Championship and Premier League with Leeds and West Brom and for me, Sykes has every bit as much talent as both of them.
"We all know he'll have to be injury-free but if he does that there's no reason he can't make it at the top level.”