Northern Ireland U21 international Conor Falls has been hailed as “a fantastic finisher who will add flexibility to our striking options” after joining Portadown from Cliftonville.

Falls secured a move to Huddersfield Town in 2020 after coming through the youth ranks at Glentoran and made his League One debut as a late substitute against Cambridge United in December 2024 under fellow countryman Michael Duff.

The 22-year-old was also named on the bench for three Championship fixtures the previous season but didn’t feature in the second tier.

Falls returned home to Northern Ireland ahead of last season with the Reds and made 14 Premiership appearances before enjoying a loan spell at Glenavon.

placeholder image — Conor Falls has joined Portadown from Cliftonville. (Photo by Portadown FC)

The striker, who represented Cliftonville in Europe, scored five goals in 11 league matches for the Lurgan Blues, including a brace in February’s 3-1 win at Bangor.

Falls now becomes David Jeffrey’s latest recruit as he prepares for an Irish League managerial return with Portadown after being named as Niall Currie’s successor in April.

"I’m delighted to welcome Conor to Shamrock Park,” Jeffrey told the club’s website. “Conor showed a real desire to join Portadown.

"His enthusiasm to be part of the club was evident and this is something which really pleased me.”

David Douglas, Portadown’s Head of Recruitment and Football Operations, has tracked Falls’ progression in recent years and believes he can make an impact at Shamrock Park.

“Conor is a player I’ve known for a long time since playing for the same Glentoran 2004 team as Matty Carson,” he said. “He progressed to Huddersfield, NI under 21s and more recently, Cliftonville and Glenavon.

“Conor is a very technical player, mobile, pacey and a fantastic finisher who will add flexibility to our striking options.”

Falls’ time at Huddersfield was impacted by injuries but he received high praise from manager Duff after being rewarded with a maiden outing.

“I went to watch the B team and walked over after 30 minutes and went 'who is that?',” Duff told the club’s media channel at the time. "He has been injured for 18 months so I haven't seen him and I thought he looked good.

"What I liked about it was in the 90th minute I turned around and said 'get Conor ready' and in 15 seconds he's standing beside me ready because he's desperate to get on the pitch.

"Unfortunately for him he's going to remember me for the rest of his life because I'm the one who gave him his debut."