Nineteen-year-old forward Rocco Vata is on the verge of ending his tenure at Celtic, with a move to Watford nearing completion.
According to reports from Anthony Joseph, Vata has successfully completed his medical and agreed to a four-year contract with the English club, leaving only his signature to finalize the deal. Watford will also have the option to extend his contract by an additional year.
Celtic is set to receive a UEFA-calculated compensation fee for Vata, who progressed through their youth ranks but made just six first-team appearances, all as a substitute. Vata’s departure has been anticipated for over a year, as he declined a new contract offer last summer.
In contrast, his teammates Ben Summers and Ben Doak signed new deals and were loaned out to Dunfermline and Queens Park, respectively.
When Brendan Rodgers returned as Celtic manager last summer, he inherited the unresolved situation with Vata. With the recent signings of Marco Tilio, Yang Hyun-jun, and Luis Palma, Vata’s chances of breaking into the first team appeared slim.
Transfer activity at Celtic has been relatively quiet this summer, with Sead Haksabanovic being the only other significant departure. Haksabanovic joined Malmo after spending the previous season on loan at Stoke City.
Vata’s move to Watford marks a new chapter in his career as he seeks more playing time and development opportunities in the English football landscape. The transfer underscores the challenges young players face in breaking into the first team at top clubs, even with significant youth development investments.
