Report: Celtic sign up West Ham youth player

By John McGinley

July 25, 2022

Celtic have signed up West Ham United youth player Justin Osagie, journalist Fraser Fletcher has reported today.

Fletcher says that the 17-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, has signed a permanent deal at the Bhoys.

The reporter posted a picture of the player at Celtic Park on social media this afternoon, appearing to confirm the news.

Osagie is eligible to play for England and Nigeria internationally and arrived at West Ham following a stint at Southend.

It was reported back in 2020 that the Hammers fended off interest from several English Premier League clubs to sign him up, but he’ll now be playing in Scotland. [All Nigeria Soccer]

It seems very likely this signing has little immediate first-team implications with Osagie destined to spend time with the club’s development sides, including the B team, who have just started their Lowland League campaign.

As of yet, the club have not announced his signature, but sometimes the acquisition of youth players goes under the radar.

Hopes are high for Celtic B this season under the new coaching team of Darren O’Dea and Stephen McManus.

The young players will train at Lennoxtown full-time, with the intention of there being far more crossover with the plans and methods of Ange Postecoglou.

McManus moved to work with the B team specifically for that reason, with Harry Kewell joining to add a fresh face to the senior coaching set-up.

We wish Osagie all the best with his Celtic future!

In other news, Jim Goodwin faced with Aberdeen problem ahead of trip to Celtic.