Cardiff City signing Gary Lavery is being tipped for big things.

The Northern Ireland youth international was snapped up by Cardiff last week from Glenavon.

"He's an absolute gem with huge potential," said the former Northern Ireland international Gary Hamilton to the Western Mail, who has overseen Lavery's development at Irish League club Glenavon.

"He has loads of ability and great awareness in matches.

"Gary was the best finisher at Glenavon last season and that says a lot for someone 16 years of age.

"He has a terrific left foot and a lovely turn of pace and the only drawback I can see is that he is quite small and at Premier League level.

"That may be an issue but he has plenty of time to grow over the next few years.

"He was playing Irish League football while still at school and made the adjustment really well.

"Of course, there are more challenges ahead at Cardiff but he has the talent to succeed.

"Cardiff will give him time to develop and I have high hopes for him."