Ronan Ferns is believed to have turned down an offer to join Brighton to take up a professional contract with Celtic.
The central defender turned 16 in February and was expected to join the exodus of players leaving the Celtic Academy to fit in to the structures of EPL clubs with u-21 leagues and extensive loan set ups.
Last month the Daily Record reported that a fee had been agreed between the two clubs but it seems that the player has had second thoughts about the move.
🏴 | Ronan Ferns ➡️ Brighton 🔵⚪
Celtic are set to lose another promising academy prospect as Ronan Ferns has saw a £250K bid from Brighton for him accepted.
The club would only have been entitled to training compensation prior to an agreement being made.
[@ScottBurns75] pic.twitter.com/RElphS4Al4
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) June 22, 2023
Brighton are interested in signing Celtic’s Scotland under-16 international Ronan Ferns. #bhafc #Celtic https://t.co/w8iOSPpI5b
— Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) March 13, 2023
Ferns wasn’t with the Celtic B team at last weeks friendly away to Fraserburgh but is scheduled to be involved in today’s friendly against Burnley B.
Ben Doak to Liverpool is the most high profile loss to Celtic in recent seasons but Liam Morrison and Barry Hepburn went further afield to Bayern Munich with Josh Adam (Manchester City), Rory Mahady (Leeds United) and Vincent Angeli (Watford) among those that have left the Celtic Academy.
In the season ahead Ferns will be looking to play in the UEFA Youth League and also in the Lowland League under the guidance of Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea.
CLICK HERE for his SFA profile.
🏴 Congratulations to our Academy Bhoys, Aidan Borland, Ronan Ferns and Finlay Hale who have once again been chosen for the #SCO16s squad!
Good luck, Bhoys 👏#InternationalCelts🍀 https://t.co/cyqcRCCmDz
— Celtic FC Academy (@CelticFCAcademy) February 6, 2023
🚨 Understand Brighton have completed the signing of centre back Ronan Ferns from Celtic.
The 16-year-old will join up with Brighton u18s, he can also play in midfield . 🔵 #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/gscLIENQ4j
— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) July 3, 2023
