Sligo Rovers teenage sensation Johnny Kenny is on his way to Celtic in a deal reportedly worth €150,000 plus add-ons to Rovers.
The 18-year-old, who completed his Leaving Cert last summer, will undergo a medical in Glasgow on Thursday before the deal is completed.
Kenny is heading to Scotland after a breakthrough season at the Showgrounds during which he scored 11 league goals for Rovers in helping them qualify for Europe – and collected the club’s Young Player of the Season in the process.
The Riverstown youngster also earned international call-ups to the Republic of Ireland under-19 team and scored three times in three different European qualifiers before Christmas.
Another SPL club – Hibernian – had also shown real interest in signing Kenny. He and his father were VIP guests at a Hibs match at Easter Road before Christmas but, after much consideration, Kenny (Jnr) has opted to sign for and green and white of Celtic.
Former Rovers player and manager Gavin Dykes thinks Kenny is making the right move:
Kenny penned a new three-year contract with Rovers just last November – but that deal included a buy-out clause in the event of a sizeable cross-channel offer coming in for the player.
The Celtic spend is understood to be €150,000 but Rovers have negotiated additional feeds should Kenny make a set number of appearances for Celtic, be it with the first team, ‘B’ team, or Academy side.
The Irish Independent reports that Rovers also stand to earn between 10 and 15 per cent of any future fee should Celtic sell the player to another club.
A formal announcement on Kenny’s Celtic move is expected later on Thursday.
