Glentoran Football Club can confirm that Academy graduates Jude Johnson and Lorcan Donnelly have joined NIFL Championship side Glenavon on loan.

Johnson will spend the first half of the 2026/27 season at Mourneview Park, with his loan running until January, while goalkeeper Donnelly joins Glenavon for the duration of the campaign.

The loans will provide both players with the opportunity to continue their development through regular senior football as they push for places in Glentoran’s first-team squad.

Johnson joins Glenavon after an impressive first spell in senior football with Annagh United last season. The 19-year-old winger made 23 appearances in all competitions, including 19 NIFL Championship outings, scoring his first senior goal in the Mid-Ulster Cup final and helping Annagh reach the Championship play-offs.

A graduate of the Glentoran Academy and Elite Scholarship Programme, Johnson made his first-team debut against Cliftonville in February 2025 and has since featured in the Premiership and County Antrim Shield for Declan Devine’s side.

Jude Johnson said: “I’m really looking forward to getting started. Last season was a massive step for me. Playing senior football every week helped me develop, taught me a lot and showed me what’s needed to compete at that level.

“I’m grateful to Declan, the coaching staff and everyone at Glentoran for giving me the opportunity to go out and experience first-team football again. Everyone felt this was the right move for me at this stage of my career and now it’s up to me to make the most of the opportunity.

“Glenavon is a big club and everyone knows they’ll be aiming to challenge at the top end of the Championship and push for promotion back to the Premiership. Hopefully I can play my part, help the team have a successful first half of the season.”

Donnelly arrives at Mourneview Park having already made 53 senior appearances across loan spells with Lisburn Distillery, Newry City, Ballinamallard United and Carrick Rangers since making his Glentoran debut against Coleraine in April 2024.

The 20-year-old impressed during the first half of last season with Ballinamallard United, making 24 appearances across all competitions before stepping up to the Sports Direct Premiership with Carrick Rangers, where he added a further five senior outings.

Lorcan Donnelly said: “I’m delighted to get the move completed. Every loan spell I’ve had has helped me grow, both as a goalkeeper and as a person, and I’m looking forward to taking the next step at Glenavon.

“I’m really grateful to Declan, Elliott Morris and all the coaching staff at Glentoran for trusting me to go out and play regular first-team football again. As a young goalkeeper, there really isn’t any substitute for playing games and that’s how you improve.

“Glenavon is a big club with clear ambitions of getting back to the Premiership and I want to do everything I can to help the team achieve that. Personally, I want to establish myself, play as many games as possible and make sure I come back to Glentoran having learned even more from the experience.”

Declan Devine, Glentoran First Team Manager, said: “These are two outstanding opportunities for Jude and Lorcan and they’re thoroughly deserved. Both players have worked incredibly hard and this is the right next step in their careers.

“Jude has reached the stage where he’s outgrown development football. He needs to be playing senior football every week because that’s where he’ll continue to improve. His spell at Annagh United last season was excellent for him.

“He came back with a better understanding of the game, the physical demands of senior football and what’s required to compete consistently. Another opportunity to play regularly will only help him kick on again.

“Lorcan is a very talented young goalkeeper and we’ve got huge belief in him. He’s shown his quality every time he’s gone out on loan and has already built up an exceptional amount of senior experience for someone who is still only 20.

“Goalkeepers develop by playing games, making decisions and dealing with the pressure that comes with senior football, and that’s something you simply can’t recreate on the training ground.

“Glenavon is a club that’s expected to compete at the top end of the Championship, so we know both players are going into an environment that will test them every single week.”

Paul Millar, Glentoran Sporting Director, said: “We’re delighted to get these moves completed because we believe they’re the right ones for Jude and Lorcan.

“At this stage of their careers, both players need to be playing senior football every week. There’s no better way for young players to develop than by getting out there and dealing with everything that comes with first-team football.

“We’ve got a lot of belief in both of them. Jude has made excellent progress over the last year and showed during his spell at Annagh United that he’s ready for another challenge.

“Lorcan has been outstanding with the way he’s approached every loan move and has built up a tremendous amount of senior experience for a goalkeeper who is still only 20.

“Glenavon is a great club and we’re confident it’s a move that will benefit both players. We’ll be keeping a close eye on them throughout the season and we’re looking forward to seeing them come back to Glentoran better players, with even more experience behind them.”