Glentoran youngster on verge of completing transfer to League Two club
Glentoran defender Johnny Russell is set to complete a six-figure transfer to League Two outfit Crawley Town.
The Northern Ireland U21 international has made 13 Premiership appearances for the Glens this term and scored his first senior league goal in their 2-1 victory over Coleraine earlier this month.
Russell progressed through the ranks before developing into a senior star at The Oval, making his debut during the 2023/24 campaign and has since racked up 59 league outings for the East Belfast club.
It’s understood the 21-year-old has agreed a move to English fourth-tier outfit Crawley ahead of the January transfer window opening with formal steps to be completed in the coming days.
Scottish Premiership club St Mirren, who are managed by Lisburn-born Stephen Robinson and recently won the Premier Sports Cup, also showed an interest in acquiring Russell’s services.
Russell has featured in all five matches of Northern Ireland’s U21 2027 European Championship qualifying campaign and is set to become the latest Irish League player to move across the water.
Managed by Scott Lindsey, Crawley currently sit 20th in League Two and are on an eight-match winless run as they look to preserve Football League status.
Russell has received widespread praise for his Irish League performances and was named Glentoran’s Player of the Year during the 2023/24 season.
He created a piece of history after collecting the prize, becoming the youngest-ever player to win the award, which is organised by Castlereagh GSC and was founded in 1958, at the age of only 19.
“I’ve said since I came here that we have a tremendous amount of young talent at this club,” said former manager Warren Feeney in 2024. “Johnny is a perfect example of that.
"A very talented and enthusiastic lad who has been outstanding in his first full season and who I’ve no doubt will be a pillar at Glentoran for a long time to come. He clearly shows that if a young player has the attitude to match his ability the Bet McLean Oval will be the right place to be.
“He’s a very good player who has done very well any time he’s played for the first team this season and I believe he has everything needed to go on to be a future Glentoran captain."