Irish underage cap Rocco Vata to leave Celtic for Serie A side Bologna

The highly-rated Vata (18) is out of contract with Celtic at the end of this season but having made the breakthrough at Parkhead last term, where he made four league appearances, he has been sidelined from first-team duties this term, unable to even make the bench as he has been lining out for the club’s B team, managed by Dubliner Darren O’Dea.

Celtic had reportedly offered the attacking midfielder a new deal but he was keen to leave his native Scotland and ply his trade elsewhere. A number of Italian and Belgian clubs were linked with the teen, a son of former Celtic and Albania player Rudi Vata who is a well-placed football agent, but Bologna appear to be leading the race to sign him and talks are due to take place in the coming days with a view to a move before the close of this transfer window.

Today's Sport News in 90 Seconds - 11th January

As he’s been at the Celtic academy since he was seven, the Bhoys will be entitled to a significant six-figure compensation fee.

Bologna are enjoying a good season in Serie A, the side managed by Thiago Motta fifth in the table before the mid-season break and have links to the Scottish game already, having signed Scotland international Lewis Ferguson in 2021.

Italian clubs have recruited Irish talent in recent seasons as Festy Ebosele and James Abankwah (Udinese) and Liam Kerrigan (Como) are involved at first team level, Justin Ferizaj is in Frosinoe’s academy while this week Lecce recruited UCD’s Wexford-born player Jesse Dempsey to their academy where he will join U21 can Ed McJannet, although Kevin Zefi appears to be on his way out of Inter Milan in this window.