Aidan Borland has become the latest Celtic youth talent to leave the club for England.
The 16-year-old midfielder has signed for Aston Villa, despite there being no official word from Celtic or Villa.
Instead, the transfer has been confirmed by an SFA graphic.
Early on Thursday morning, the SFA run ‘Scotland National Team’ Twitter page posted the under-17s squad for a couple of upcoming friendlies. (Scotland Twitter)
Borland’s name was included in the list but Aston Villa were the club he was associated with, not Celtic.
That move would make a great deal of sense. Back in March, the Daily Record reported that Borland was heading for the Premier League side.
It was said that Celtic had offered the teenager ‘professional forms’ but that he was heading for Villa who have a strong recent record with Scottish talent.
That move has seemingly gone through now, despite no confirmation from either club. Borland becomes the latest Celtic youth talent to leave for England after the likes of Ben Doak, Josh Adam and Leo Hjelde in recent times.
Of course, Borland was much further from the first-team than someone like Doak. But the departure is still a frustrating reminder of how things are set in football right now.
Borland was unlikely to get a first-team debut any time soon so it’s difficult to understand what more Celtic could have done, without being privy to the full details.
We wish him all of the best for the future.
In other news, one notable signing made by every Premiership club this summer
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