Former Larne goalkeeper Conor Mitchell believes Arsenal-bound teenager Phoenix Blayney has “so much potential” – but feels it’s his off-pitch characteristics which could also help the “humble” shot-stopper thrive in the future.

Highly-rated Blayney trialled with a host of Premier League clubs before sealing a move to the reigning English champions.

The 15-year-old has penned a pre-contract agreement which will see him arrive in London as part of next summer’s scholarship intake before signing professional terms with the Gunners.

A product of the Irish FA’s JD Academy, Blayney has represented Northern Ireland up to U17 level and has been called up by Gareth McAuley to the country’s U19 squad for European qualifiers in North Macedonia.

placeholder image — Conor Mitchell (right) with Phoenix Blayney during a coaching session this summer. (Photo by Chris Guiller via CMGK)

The Larne goalkeeper was called up to train with Northern Ireland’s senior squad during the last international window alongside Crusaders striker Michael Mulholland – the 15-year-old is also set for a high-profile Premier League move to Liverpool.

Blayney has already made his senior club debut, coming off the bench in September’s Co Antrim Shield win over Newington.

He’s looking to follow in the footsteps of father Alan, who played in the Premier League for Southampton before winning three league and Irish Cup doubles at Linfield alongside earning five Northern Ireland caps.

Having started his own coaching business earlier this year, Mitchell worked with Blayney during the summer, and while his talent was obvious, he was equally as impressed by the youngster’s attitude.

"I had a couple of years working with Alan as my goalkeeping coach at Larne,” Mitchell told the News Letter. “We struck up a real good friendship so I seen Phoenix as a little kid back then, now he’s growing into a proper man.

"I think it's really exciting for goalkeeping in Northern Ireland...it’s been tough, we haven't produced a top level goalkeeper from this country since Roy Carroll, Pierce Charles is now coming through at senior level.

"To see somebody going to such a big club and having so much potential is amazing.

"He's a really good lad too...amongst all that noise of going to a big club, I think that's what's going to stand him in good stead, he’s grounded, humble and comes from a good family.

"I'm excited to watch his progress and hope he has a fantastic career.

"A lot of people have asked me (how good he is) off the back of doing a session with him as he’s highly-recognised in goalkeeping circles in this country.

"It's the little moments...during the session there was one that I threw top corner and he just sprung up and plucked it out.

"It was kind of just like, ‘okay, that's different, kids your age don't make that save’. It's those little moments that set those lads apart.

"Physically, he's a real specimen, and he has a lot of the modern goalkeeper traits of being good with the ball, being able to play around a press, through a press, but ultimately he can actually keep the ball out of the net.

"I might sound a bit old school, but we get a little bit detracted from that sometimes in the modern era...that is the main role of a goalkeeper.”