Glentoran Football Club has announced that Academy graduate Aaron Wightman has joined Sports Direct Premiership side Portadown on loan until January 2026.

The 21-year-old right back, who has been with the Glens since the age of six, has made 74 senior appearances for the club and represented Northern Ireland at Under-19 level, earning seven caps.

He was a standout member of Glentoran’s celebrated 2004 Academy “Dream Team”, alongside first-team teammate Charlie Lindsay and Johnny Russell, before progressing through the ranks to make his senior debut in May 2021.

Wightman’s 2024/25 season was heavily disrupted by injury, missing the opening months before returning in November against Glenavon only to suffer another setback in December’s 3–1 win at Crusaders.

He was sidelined again until March, when he returned in the Irish Cup quarter-final against Bangor, and went on to make a further five appearances in the closing weeks of the campaign as he built towards full match fitness.

This loan move now provides Wightman with the opportunity to gain valuable minutes and competitive Premiership action.

Declan Devine, Glentoran First Team Manager, said: “Aaron has had a difficult year with injuries which have interrupted his progress, but he has worked hard to get himself back fit and back into the squad.

“He is an exciting young player with huge potential and, importantly, time firmly on his side. What he needs now is a consistent run of games to build sharpness and to showcase the undoubted talent and ability that everyone at this club knows he possesses.

“This loan move to Portadown provides him with the ideal platform to play regularly at Premiership level, test himself in a competitive environment, and take the next step in his development.”

Glentoran Football Club wishes Aaron every success during his loan spell at Portadown.