McCourt Norwich move earns Derry City six figures

Glenn McCourt turned down two English Premiership clubs in favour of a move to Norwich City which has earned Derry City a six-figure sum in the process.

The 17-year-old has joined the Championship side on a three-year contract, with a club option, and will initially join as part of the development pathway, playing with the club's Under-21s. McCourt had been much sought after in recent seasons, and could have made the move across the water a year ago, but bided his time before choosing Carrow Road.

McCourt, nephew of Derry City legend Paddy, made his senior debut for the Candystripes in September 2024, coming on as a late substitute against Drogheda United at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Paddy himself made the move to England at the same age, joining then Third Division side Rochdale before going on to have a rich career abroad with Celtic, Barnsley, Brighton & Hove Albion and Luton.

Upon his move to the club, McCourt said: "I'm buzzing to be here. I'm glad that the deal is done and everything is done and dusted and can't wait to get going now. As a player, I love dribbling and I love getting on the ball, getting at players. Playing out wide, that's me.

"I made my debut for Derry last year against Drogheda. It was a surreal experience, it's my hometown team and it was a dream to make my debut.

"I cannot wait to get started. I've actually been injured for the last month or two, so getting back and playing again is going to be great. I can't wait.

"I want to play as many minutes as possible. I want to fit in well, it's obviously going to be hard moving away from home. This season, I want to play as much as I can and try my best."

The subject of McCourt's future was a hot topic last summer following his City debut under Ruaidhri Higgins, but the McCourt family have waited before making their final decision. He becomes the latest in a long line of players to leave the club for England in recent years, with Cameron McJannet, Eoin Toal, Ronan Curtis and Ryan Graydon all building good careers.

"He's got bags of potential," City Chief Executive said. "He takes after his uncle Paddy, he plays like him, he looks like him and he has the potential to do very well.

"There was a lot of interest in Glenn since last year from some very big clubs, but he has taken his time and he and his family have chosen what they feel is the right choice for him. Derry City have a long history of providing a pathway for young players to go abroad and we wish Glenn the best."

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Meanwhile, former City captain Toal has been named Bolton Wanderers' captain for the 2025/26 season. Toal left Derry City in the summer of 2022 and has since made 104 appearances for the club, also scoring 10 goals in that time.