Teenager Matty Hughes has been unveiled as a Glasgow Celtic player after Director Andrew Kelly and Youth Team Manager Chris Beech travelled north with him to finalise the deal.



Matty ,16,pictured here with Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell and Head of Youth Football Chris McCart has signed a 3 year professional contract. He was fast tracked through the clubs Centre of Excellence and was a virtual ever present in our Youth and Reserve sides last season even though he was still at school.

He had been the subject of interest from a number of Premier League clubs including Liverpool, Everton and Manchester United but made the decision to move to Celtic Park.

A compensation package has been agreed between the two clubs with Rochdale receiving an undisclosed fee and Celtic undertaking to visit Spotland for a friendly game at a mutually convenient date. Additionally Rochdale will have access to loan deals for some of Celtic's younger squad members.

This is the first deal of it's kind for the club and we are confident that it underlines the fact that the Centre of Excellence is not only in good shape but moving forward at a previously unheard of pace.

Everyone at Rochdale Football Club would like to wish Matty good luck in what promises to be a very exciting career.