Larne midfielder Cormac Austin has made a move Stateside after being confirmed as a new University of North Carolina Wilmington recruit ahead of their 2026 season.

Former Cliftonville and Linfield youngster Austin joined the Inver Reds in October following his exit from Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.

The 20-year-old scored on Larne debut in a Senior Shield victory over Ballymacash Rangers and also started in their BetMcLean Cup quarter-final defeat to Ballymena United in December.

Austin was included in 11 Premiership matchday squads by Gary Haveron last term as Larne won a third Gibson Cup crown across the past four seasons, but didn’t feature off the bench.

placeholder image — Former Crystal Palace midfielder Cormac Austin joined Larne last year. (Photo by Larne FC)

A Northern Ireland youth international, Austin will continue his development in America after University of North Carolina Wilmington announced his signing on social media.

Known as the ‘Seahawks’, Austin’s side will begin their campaign with exhibition fixtures against Duke (August 8) and Charlotte (August 14) – competitive action starts on August 20 at University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Austin earned a professional contract at Palace, but it was confirmed in June 2025 that the talented midfielder had departed the club.

Larne boss Haveron was happy to secure Austin’s services after a trial period, saying at the time of his arrival: “I’m pleased that Cormac will be joining up with our first-team squad for the rest of the season.

"He is a kid who I believe possesses tremendous ability and despite being young in age, will already be in a position to become part of our squad and challenge the more senior players for their positions each matchday.

“We’ve been able to have a look at Cormac over the past number of weeks within our first-team training base, and he has also been able to have a look at us.

"I want this to be an environment where Cormac believes he can flourish and build on his experience at Crystal Palace and he has given us his word that he believes Larne is perfect for him to knuckle down and improve as player.”

Austin also received praise from former Northern Ireland international Jeff Hughes after scoring on his Larne debut.

"Cormac is a fantastic young player,” he said. “He can play six, eight or 10, he's got great feet, great passing ability. I'm personally very excited about the future for Cormac."