Bolton Wanderers pair Conor Bradley and Eoin Toal are the latest players to feature in NI Next Gen, the Irish FA video series which highlights potential international stars of the future.
Right back/wing back Bradley, who already has 10 senior caps under his belt, is currently on loan at the EFL League One club from Liverpool.
In the video the 19-year-old from Tyrone charts his journey from playing as a youth with St Patrick’s FC in his home town of Castlederg to moving on to Dungannon United Youth/Dungannon Swifts and then signing for Liverpool, the team he supported as a boy, before going out on loan to Bolton this season.
He also explains how Club NI, the elite player development programme run by the Irish FA which has now been replaced by the JD Academy and National Performance Programme, helped with his development and reflects on his success with the Northern Ireland U18 Schoolboys’ side when they won the Centenary Shield in 2019.
Bradley further reveals that he is enjoying life at Bolton, who are in the hunt for promotion to the EFL Championship and earlier this week booked their place in the Papa Johns Trophy final at Wembley, and how he is looking forward to working under new Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill.
Eoin Toal, who has played for Northern Ireland at U17, U19 and U21 level, charts his journey from his hometown club, Armagh City, to Derry City and then signing a three-year deal with Bolton last July.
The centre back and former Northern Ireland U21s captain, who turned 24 last week, talks about his move to England and reveals he would love the opportunity to play for the Northern Ireland senior team under Michael O’Neill.
The video also features Northern Ireland and Bolton striker Dion Charles, who praises the ability and attitude of both players.