Glenavon accept offer for Sykes
Young midfield star expected to join Portvale
Glenavon’s Under-21 international midfielder, Mark Sykes, has finally secured his dream move into full-time football.
The 21-year-old has never made a secret of his desire to play across the water.
And after the Lurgan Blues accepted an offer from English League Two side, Portvale, his dream is about to become a reality.
Sykes, though, has still to agree personal terms and complete a medical.
It is understood, Scottish Premiership sides, Hibs and Hearts both wanted him along with Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United.
At the end of last month, Sykes was a guest on our first ‘live’ BetMcLean Football show when he stressed his desire to move into the professional game.
“I would obviously love to get away as much as Glenavon is really a challenge at the minute and we are doing quite well,” he told us.
“If there was an opportunity to come up in January obviously I would be delighted to go then.
“Hopefully, as much as I would like to stay and help Glenavon out, at the end of the day I need to make a career and do as good as I can.”
If he moves, as expected next month, he will join a number of young players who have left Glenavon in recent years for a full-time career across the water.
These include Bobby Burns to Hearts and Shayne Lavery to Everton.