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.

Rocco Vata of Celtic celebrates after he scores his team’s fifth goal during the the Celtic v Buckie Thistle – Scottish Cup match at Celtic Park on January 21, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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.

1995: PORTRAIT OF RUDI VATA

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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Stuart Knight of Buckie Thistle saves from Rocco Vata of Celtic during the the Celtic v Buckie Thistle – Scottish Cup match at Celtic Park on January 21, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

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.