Former Crusaders teenager Coist Walker is set to feature in the FA Cup on Friday night after joining Bridlington Town on a work experience loan from Premier League club Hull City.

Walker sealed a dream move to the Tigers last summer after he had “attracted interest from top clubs across the UK”.

The 17-year-old was named on Crusaders’ bench for four Premiership matches during the 2024/25 season and was also included in a matchday squad for their BetMcLean Cup win over Coleraine.

A Northern Ireland U19 international, Walker has featured for Hull’s U18 side and is now set to gain a first taste of men’s football with Bridlington.

placeholder image — Northern Ireland U19 international Coist Walker joined Hull City from Crusaders last summer. (Photo by Crusaders Football Academy)

Bridlington ply their trade in the Northern Premier League’s East Division – the eighth-tier of English football – and will be in FA Cup action in the famous competition’s preliminary round against Redcar Town on Friday.

The club posted: “Bridlington Town are pleased to welcome full back Coist Walker, who joins us on a work experience loan from Hull City!

“Subject to approval from the FA, Premier League, and Northern Premier League, Coist will join up with the squad for today's FA Cup match against Redcar Town!”

Walker has now entered his second year as a scholar at Hull and will initially spend one month on loan with Bridlington.

Castlereagh teenager Walker featured twice for Northern Ireland’s U19s last year, including in November’s European Championships qualifier against Czechia.

Announcing Walker’s move to Hull last summer, Crusaders posted: “The 16-year-old has progressed impressively through the ranks within the Academy from right up to featuring in the First Team Squad.

“A Northern Ireland U17 international, Coist’s performances have attracted interest from top clubs across the UK. He will now make the move to ‘The Tigers’ to begin the next chapter of his football journey.

“Everyone at Crusaders sends their congratulations to Coist and his family – we couldn’t be prouder.”

Walker was also congratulated by County Down SuperCup NI, who he helped reach the Premier Section semi-finals in 2024.

"We love to see players who have represented us moving on and continuing their football journey so we’re thrilled to hear this news about Coist who played for our Premier team in last year’s SuperCupNI,” they posted. “All the very best Coist and we’ll be watching your progress closely.”