Rocco Vata in action for the Ireland U-21 side. Photo by Roberto Bregani/Sportsfile
Ireland U-21 cap Rocco Vata is expected to complete his move from Celtic to Watford in the next 24 hours once he passes a medical.
The 19-year-old, who came through the academy ranks at Parkhead and made his first team debut at the age of 17, had been offered a new deal by the Scottish champions but he was keen to move on to further his career outside of Scotland.
He was linked with a number of clubs in Italy, Belgium and Germany where his agent and father – former Celtic and Albania player Rudi Vata – has good contacts.
But Championship side Watford were keen to nab one of the most exciting teenagers in club football in Britain and have offered Vata a four-year deal. Sky Sports reported that Vata was due at Watford for a medical today and a deal should be completed.
Celtic will be entitled to compensation for Vata but that fee, estimated at £230,000, will be a disappointment for the club and fans will ask why Vata had not been embedded in the first team earlier. There has been criticism of the club’s hesitancy in promoting academy players to the first team
Vata made his league debut for Celtic in December 2022, with four league appearances that season but he was very much on the fringes last term with just two outings for the first team as he spent most of the campaign with their B team.
Today’s Sports News in 90 Seconds – 3rd July