Watford sign Ireland under-21 International Rocco Vata from Celtic
Irish U21 player Rocco Vata has moved to Watford Credit: None
Watford FC have confirmed the signing of Rocco Vata from Celtic on a four-year contract, with an option for an additional year.
The 19-year-old forward joins Watford after making six senior appearances for Celtic, scoring once.
Vata, a Republic of Ireland youth international, has impressed at the Under-21 level, netting five goals in just three appearances.
Vata joined Celtic at the age of seven and progressed through their academy, signing his first professional contract in July 2021.
is father, Rudi Vata, also played for Celtic, making 60 appearances between 1992 and 1996.
Vata participated in pre-season training with Celtic ahead of the 2022/23 campaign but initially played for the club’s B team in the Lowland League.
His impressive start to the season, with eight goals in 14 matches, earned him a call-up to the senior side.
He made his professional debut in December 2022 against Hibernian and featured in four Scottish Premiership matches that season.
Predominantly appearing for Celtic’s B team last term, Vata maintained a strong scoring record with 13 goals in 16 appearances.
He scored his first professional goal in a Scottish Cup match against Buckie Thistle, contributing to a 5-0 victory.
Internationally, Vata has options to represent Scotland, Ireland, Montenegro, or Albania, with his father having made 59 appearances for Albania.
So far, Vata has chosen to play for Ireland, making his debut for the Under-15s in 2019 and recently advancing to the Under-21s.
Vata marked his Under-21 debut with a brace against San Marino and followed it up with a hat-trick in the reverse fixture in March.
