Irish League Football

Image source, Press Eye

Linfield teenager Braiden Graham has formally completed his move to Premier League side Everton.

The 16-year-old forward will initially join up with the under-18s at Goodison Park, a squad coached by former England and Everton full-back Leighton Baines.

In March 2023, Graham became Linfield's youngest ever player when he came off the bench against Dungannon Swifts at 15 years and 137 days old.

He was a regular at Windsor Park last season, scoring a crucial equaliser against Larne in the quarter-finals of the League Cup as Linfield went on to retain the trophy.

Graham has represented Northern Ireland Under-19s, scoring for Gareth McAuley's side in a 2-2 friendly draw against Slovakia last month.

Last month another Linfield teenager, Aodhan Doherty, made the move to England, signing with Blackburn Rovers.

Image source, BBC

Larne have signed English defender Baris Altintop after he was released by National League side Braintree Town.

The 23-year old made 47 appearances for Braintree last season, captaining the side to promotion from the National League South.

He was a trialist in Larne's 2-1 friendly win against Bala Town at Inver Park at the weekend.

Altintop becomes the Inver outfit's second summer signing after the arrival of Conor McKendry.

"He is a lad we brought in to have a look at," Larne manager Tiernan Lynch told BBC Sport NI.

"We didn't know a huge amount lot about him, obviously we have been quite thin on centre backs, and we were looking to bring someone in with a profile which he has now filled."

Lynch added: "He played on Saturday and did very well, he has a real winning mentality and works very hard. He had two or three offers back in England but decided to make Larne his destination."

The Irish Premiership 2024-25 fixtures were released earlier this week with a few intriguing games taking place during the opening weekend.

Larne will start their title defence against Loughgall while runners-up Linfield travel to Ballymena United.

Irish Cup winners Cliftonville will face newly-promoted Portadown at Solitude while Dean Shiels begins his reign as Coleraine boss against Dungannon Swifts, the side he managed for two years.

How do you fancy your team's chances in week one? Let us know on social media using #bbcirishprem.

Irish Premiership opening weekend fixtures

Glentoran v Crusaders

Larne v Loughgall

Ballymena Utd v Linfield

Carrick Rangers v Glenavon

Dungannon Swifts v Coleraine

Cliftonville v Portadown

Matches scheduled for 10 August but are subject to change

Find out more about the 2024-25 Irish Premiership fixtures here

Image source, Press Eye

Ben Wilson will join Scottish Championship side Airdrieonians when his Cliftonville contract expires at the end of this month.

The 22-year-old former Brighton and Coleraine striker signed for the Reds last summer and scored 18 goals in 34 appearances.

“I’m happy to be here, I had a good first training session and met all the boys, and it’s been good," Wilson told airdriefc.com.

“I had a good season last season so I just want to build on that again. I want to play as many games as I can and hopefully the goals will come along as well."

Diamonds boss Rhys McCabe believes Wilson will be a success at the Excelsior Stadium.

“He’s a natural finisher - he has really clever movement and that predatory instinct in the box.

“He should thrive in our system with the creativity that we’re looking to play with.”