Celtic have signed 16-year-old Tipperary native Barry Coffey.
He will join the Scottish champions from his local side Nenagh AFC.
The Daily Record reports that Celtic beat some stiff competition for Coffey's signature. They say that Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd were all interested in acquiring the young midfielder.
He played for Chelsea in a youth tournament in the Netherlands last month. He was also offered trials by both Man Utd and Man City.
Best of luck to Barry Coffey in the next phase of his sporting career after signing a professional contract with Glasgow Celtic F.C. today. pic.twitter.com/2ecHzis0SZ
— Nenagh Éire Óg (@nenagheireog) June 13, 2017
Coffey joins Celtic on a three-year deal. He will be part of Celtic's development squad.
Last November he was part of the Ireland U16 side which won the Victory Shield under the management of Paul Osam.
13 months ago, he was Man of the Match as his Nenagh side beat Wilton United in the FAI U17 Cup. It was a game in which Coffey scored and set up a last-minute winner for Nenagh in extra-time.
Barry is the brother of young Tipperary hurling star Andrew Coffey, who was last year named on the Bord Gais U21 Hurling Team of the Year. His sister Maeve also plays inter-county camogie with Tipperary.
