Dungannon Swifts' assistant manager Ryan Harpur believes Daniel McCarron has the talent and mentality to succeed at Arsenal.

What happened?

The 16-year-old defender has joined Arsenal's 2026/27 scholarship intake, with Harpur comparing him to Jonny Evans at the same age. Dungannon Swifts recently confirmed McCarron's move, with the club's general manager Simon Graham wishing him the best of luck.

Why it matters for Dungannon Swifts

The Swifts are currently 6th in the Premiership with 46 points, 27 points behind leaders Larne, and have a recent form of LWWLL, with their last result being a 3-1 loss to Linfield on 2026-05-12. Harpur has been impressed with McCarron's development, saying he has been watching him for about three years.

What comes next?

McCarron's move to Arsenal is a significant step in his career, with Harpur stressing that the hard work begins now. The Swifts have a strong production line of young players, with Terry Devlin being linked with clubs after kicking on at Glentoran and international level. As Dungannon Swifts look to build on their current league standing, they will be hoping to produce more talented players like McCarron, who has scored 40 goals this season and conceded 58, with a goal difference of -18.