Portadown's youngest-ever debutant Dane McCullough signs for Burnley

Portadown's youngest-ever first-team player Dane McCullough has signed for English Premier League side Burnley.

McCullough joined the Portadown academy aged four and rose through the underage structure before making his debut for the senior team at 15 years and 121 days old back in April 2019.

The McCullough family is steeped in Portadown folklore, with Dane’s father, grandfather and uncle all representing the club as players along with holding various coaching and scouting roles.

Dane’s cousin Luke McCullough spent a number of years with the Manchester United academy before spells at Doncaster and Tranmere, and secured six senior international caps for Northern Ireland.

Portadown manager Matthew Tipton was full of praise for the young defender, saying the move was ‘fully deserved.’

“Dane epitomises everything that we want in young players,” he told the club’s official website.

“I’ve never come across a young player that has worked harder at their game than Dane and this move is his just reward for the work he has put in.

“On behalf of myself & the rest of the club I wish him all the best for the rest of his career.”

Burnley’s academy recently secured category 1 ranking which is the top level of youth academy English football can offer.