Pictured: Seated, new signing, Lee Upton, with his mother, Cate Pearson and standing, Assistant Coach, Terry Fitzpatrick and Head Coach, Rodney McAree.
Dungannon Swifts Head Coach Rodney McAree was more than satisfied to win against Limavady United, even if it took until extra time, to secure our place in the next round of the Bet McLean Cup, last night. However, nothing made him more happy than to secure the signature of seventeen year old LEE UPTON, after the game.
Upton, a highly talented centre half, who has attracted interest from Cross Channel Clubs joins us having previously been on the books of Portadown Football Club from a young age. He comes along with a wealth of experience at his age having most recently captained the County Armagh, Premier Super Cup NI team. He has been involved with Northern Ireland at Under 16/17 level having played against Poland and Slovakia, and he also played in the Nordic Cup last summer with them.
Upton, who has signed a two year deal said, “I am really happy to sign my first professional contract, Dungannon is a very good club. I captained Armagh Super Cup team this year and it was probably one of the best football experiences of my life, I really enjoyed it. I know a lot of the boys already here at Dungannon and I do think that I will fit in well. I’ve played with Oisin Smyth, Cahal McGinty, Jack McIvor and John Scott as well as some of the others boys from the Swifts U20’s before.”
A delighted Rodney McAree had this to say, “Lee has a lot of potential, he was a player who we had identified a good while ago, who we wanted to try and get over the line because his potential really is, right up there with the best! He is a fantastic lad, a centre half, very good in the air, attacks the ball well and plus he’s a good footballer. We believe he will definitely go on to make at least a top Irish League Player, if not getting an opportunity of playing football on a full time basis.”
Welcome to Stangmore Park, Lee, we wish you every success with the Club.