Larne’s James Simpson is attracting transfer interest from across the water with a number of English Championship and League One clubs understood to be tracking the teenage star.

Northern Ireland U21 international Simpson has been one of the Inver Reds’ top performers throughout the current campaign, scoring twice in 12 league appearances - he was named their Player of the Month for October.

The 19-year-old played a key role for Gary Haveron’s side last season as Larne collected a third Gibson Cup crown across the past four years by finishing three points clear of Coleraine, securing their Champions League qualifying return in the process.

Simpson featured in all eight of Larne’s European matches last summer, scoring his maiden goal on the continental stage in a narrow Europa League third qualifying round defeat to FC Iberia 1999 of Georgia.

placeholder image — Northern Ireland U21 international James Simpson has impressed at Larne. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

He started in the final three matches of Northern Ireland’s U21 European Championships qualifying campaign across the recent international window as Tommy Wright’s side finished third behind Germany and Greece in Group F.

It’s understood Simpson is the latest Irish League youngster to have caught the eye of English clubs with his fine performances.

The likes of Lee Bonis, Craig Farquhar and Kofi Balmer have all sealed high-profile moves after spending time in Larne’s senior ranks and highly-rated Simpson is widely regarded as one of the Irish League’s best young players.

If Simpson is to depart Inver Park in the coming months, Larne would be in line for a healthy fee – their top young talent signed a new two-year deal in January with the option of a further year.

After impressing in October’s 3-0 win over Crusaders at Seaview – Simpson provided an assist – Haveron tipped the teenager for a bright future.

"The kid's only getting better and better, his confidence is in a really good place,” said Haveron. “He went away with Northern Ireland’s U21s and played all the games, which was probably more than he expected, but he was instrumental.

"I had a brilliant phone call with Tommy Wright regarding James after the camp, praising the kid about his attitude, what he brought to the team and how good he was.

"It was actually so refreshing to hear because James Simpson is a kid that we massively believe in at this club, he has a really bright future.

"I’m really, really pleased for him because he's now starting to show that confidence and that self-belief in the game and I genuinely believe we've got a number of young players that could open up opportunities for themselves further afield.”