Bournemouth set to win race for highly-rated Cliftonville teenager who has 'great maturity in his play'
Premier League outfit Bournemouth are reportedly set to win the race to sign Cliftonville teen Cillian Murray – with the attacker expected to complete his move to England in January.
The 16-year-old made his senior Reds debut in September, starting in their 4-0 Co Antrim Senior Shield win over Knockbreda, and registered his first Premiership appearance the following month by coming off the bench against Ballymena United at Solitude.
Murray was prolific for Cliftonville’s U16 and U18 teams last season – he netted 28 goals in 30 matches across league and cup competitions for the former and struck 10 times in 23 U18 Academy League games.
He made the step up to U20 level at the start of this term, scoring three times in six Premiership Development League matches and also struck in the Steel & Sons Cup.
Murray starred for Co Down’s Premier squad during last summer’s SuperCupNI, scoring in wins against Co Tyrone and Derby County.
The highly-rated winger has represented Northern Ireland up to U17 level – he started for Kris Lindsay’s side in Wednesday’s 4-2 European Championships qualifying defeat to Lithuania in Germany with Michael Mulholland scoring both goals.
According to Football Insider, Murray will now make the move to England in January with Bournemouth fighting off competition for his services.
Murray received praise from manager Jim Magilton for his impressive debut showing in September with the Northern Ireland legend saying the teenager “makes other people come alive”.
“It was nice that Cillian Murray made his debut,” said Magilton on the club’s website. “He’s had an outstanding summer, so we thought this game was a really good opportunity for him to come and play.
"I thought he was excellent – lots of good things, great maturity in his play, he comes alive and makes other people come alive.
“He was probably unfortunate not to nick a a goal but, overall, I’m really pleased with him, I’m really pleased that players got minutes.
“You have to applaud the attitude and the intensity the players played at tonight. That was kind of the message going out and they carried that out.”
Murray will be the latest young star to earn a high-profile move after coming through Cliftonville’s impressive academy ranks.
Coran Madden joined Premier League club Brentford in 2025 and has scored three goals alongside providing five assists in seven U18 Premier League appearances so far this term.