Ireland under-17 midfielder Grady McDonnell has joined Belgian powerhouse Club Brugge. He will leave Vancouver FC in a club-record transfer worth €350,000.
McDonnell, born in Canada but eligible to represent Ireland through his father, made history in 2024 as the youngest player to sign a professional contract in the Canadian Premier League at just 15 years old with his hometown club. He will initially join Club NXT, Club Brugge's academy team, which competes in the Challenger Pro League, Belgium's second tier.
Grady spoke to Canadian outlet CanPL.ca on the dream move to Europe.
“I'm super excited. It’s a huge opportunity, I’m finally over in Europe,” McDonnell said.
“The coolest thing for me is that the first team is right there, and they just played Juventus in the Champions League. It's all right there at my fingertips, so I've just got to keep working and hopefully one day I could be stepping on that field against Juventus.”
He also went on to say, “Now is the time to put my head down and work as hard as I can, do as much as I can to break into the first team — that's the goal,” he said.
“I know it's going to be a long journey, it's going to be a hard one too, but I'm ready for it. I’m ready to work hard every day and chase my dreams.”
Grady McDonnell: underage Irish star
McDonnell has represented Ireland at youth level since 2022, showcasing his athleticism and powerful ball-carrying ability to control the midfield. He is joining a club known for integrating academy talents into the first team while competing at the highest level of European football. Club Brugge's first-team squad, with an average age of 24.6, includes 10 players who have progressed through their academy or reserve team, Club NXT.
De l'autre coté de l'Atlantique, notre international U17🇮🇪 Grady McDonnell affole les defenses canadiennes avec Vancouver FC🇨🇦.
🎯L'attaquant de 16 ans nous gratifie d'une subtile passe decisive pour l'egalisation à la derniere minute.@CultureSoccer pic.twitter.com/6kNxXDc9Sc— Football Irlandais 🇮🇪 𝕏 (@Footballirlande) July 22, 2024
The 16-year-old has earned 14 caps for Ireland since switching allegiance from Canada, where he previously made four appearances at the under-15 level. McDonnell is seen as a key player in Ireland's talented under-17 squad, which will face Belgium, Poland, and Iceland in the Elite Round of the European Championship Qualifiers this March.
McDonnell is determined to make an impact in Belgium and continue his rise in European football. With Club Brugge's strong reputation for developing talent, he is well-positioned to progress through the ranks and eventually break into the first team. His ultimate goal is to establish himself at the highest level, both at club and international level, as he continues to develop into one of Ireland's most promising young midfielders.
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