Rocco Vata looks set to leave Celtic after ten years at the club to sign for English Championship side Watford, who have offered the Ireland Under 21 international a four year contract.
Vata, according to an update from Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph, has visited the facilities at Watford and has net with senior club officials to discuss the deal.
Celtic will receive just £237,000 in training compensation for Vata, who is the son of Celtic 1990s cult hero Rudi Vata. Rudi has continually talked up Rocco’s preference to remain at Celtic, but this appears to have been in vain as yet another top product of the Celtic youth academy seems set to leave the club.
Brendan Rodgers is well aware of the pathway issue that Academy players experience as they increasingly see a route to the first team at Celtic blocked. And this time last year both Vata and Daniel Kelly dropped from the first team squad back to the B team as the Celtic manager had to make room for the multiple project signings arriving at the club.
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Both players forced their way back into the first team squad in the second half of the season, with Kelly getting more game-time than Vata. Daniel Kelly’s contract runs out at the end of the year and he is after today free to talk to clubs regarding a pre-contract.
Celtic has made improved offers to both Rocco Vata and Daniel Kelly, with the indication being that there were now take it or leave it deals. Frustratingly in Rocco’s case it looks like the latter option is going to be his decision.
UPDATE: Watford are in advanced talks with Celtic forward Rocco Vata.
It’s understood the 19yo has visited the facilities & met with club reps.
Watford are offering Vata a four-year deal.
Celtic would be due £237,000 in training compensation if he joins Watford. https://t.co/SIHPo3mftd pic.twitter.com/HYTtVi7duG
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) June 30, 2024
Respectfully, young Vata has never shown the commitment to Celtic. He always looked like he had one eye on the door, and that’s his and every other player’s prerogative. But you can’t blame the club for this. He used the club as a stepping stone and clearly feels he has a better chance of making a bigger pay packet south of the border. The same wil likely apply to Daniel Kelly, and no doubt there will be others. But look back!
Rarely do you see results like that of young Ben Doak!
The young kids who leave with £££ signs in their eyes rarely succeed. Sure, there are a few. Very few. The same goes from most club’s academy players. The two classics that spring to mind are Gilmour and Dembele. Look at Gilmour from across the city! Wasn’t he going to be the new “Messi”? decent player though he is, but with Brighton? Karamoke Dembele? Just released by his French club!
These two were never spoken about unless the words “sensational” “world-class” etc., were included in the sentence! While Gilmour can claim some success, can he really claim it to be what he was aiming for? Dembele? A six months loan spell just completed at Blackpool?
Few youngsters who listen to their agents are going to be a success!
But I honestly wish young Vata, and Kelly when he goes, the best in their short careers.