Cormac Austin becomes the latest Inver recruit

We are pleased to announce the signing of midfielder Cormac Austin, subject to international clearance.

The 19-year-old North Belfast native arrives at Inver Park on a professional contract until the end of the season following a successful trial period, having last played for English Premier League side Crystal Palace FC.

Naturally a defensive midfielder, Austin spent time within Cliftonville's academy becoming making the move to Linfield, making his professional debut for David Healy’s side at the age of 16-years-old before making the move to South London in the summer of 2022.

Initially signing a three-year academy deal at Selhurst Park, the former Northern Ireland U16 captain joined up with the Eagles’ U18 Premier League side and would go on to make 33 appearances at that level across the next two seasons.

Having impressed at U18 level, Austin also represented Crystal Palace’s U23 side on nine occasions in the Premier League 2 division alongside one appearance in the EFL Trophy when he started in midfield as part of a 4-1 victory over League One outfit Peterborough United.

These performances would see the Northern Ireland junior international rewarded with a one-year professional contract in 2024, before departing Selhurst Park in favour of a return to Northern Ireland where he has spent the past number of weeks training at the Larne Academy of Sport.

Expressing his delight at signing for the Invermen, Austin said:

“I’m delighted to be here.

“Having been in on trial for the past while, I’ve had the chance to adapt to all of the boys and they’ve all been really good with me.

“Coming back from England, I’m here to prove myself and continue my development, but I want to win things.

“I want to win at all costs, that’s what keeps me happy and I’m sure the supporters would be happy with that too.”

Interim First-Team Manager Gary Haveron added:

“I’m pleased that Cormac will be joining up with our first-team squad for the rest of the season, he is kid who I believe possesses tremendous ability and despite being young in age, will already be in a position to become part of our squad and challenge the more senior players for their positions each matchday.

“We’ve been able to have a look at Cormac over the past number of weeks within our first-team training base, and he has also been able to have a look at us. I want this to be an environment where Cormac believes he can flourish and build on his experience at Crystal Palace and he has given us his word that he believes Larne is perfect for him to knuckle down and improve as player.”