Celtic have reportedly signed young midfielder Kundai Benyu who played for the under-21 side of Ipswich Town. Manager Brendan Rodgers is apparently a fan of the starlet and has hailed him as a ‘highly talented and gifted’. And such public admiration meant that the Hoops were already on their to the now confirmed signing.
Speaking to media, Rodgers said, “He’s a young player there’s a possibility with. Other than that, if I get the next signing in I’ll be really happy. It will give us great power and strength as well as quality. Then we can push on and wait and see what becomes available.”
Rodgers was speaking on Celtic’s pre-season tour that they have just embarked upon. They are in Austria at the moment where they are scheduled to play BW Linz and SK Rapid Vienna, which would be followed by a trip to the Czech Republic to play Slavia Prague. They would end their tour at Ireland playing Shamrock Rovers. Celtic are warming up for their second Champions League qualifying round, where they face either Linfield or La Fiorita.
Benyu was visibly delighted having completed the deal and was all praise for the club and the manager. He said:
”It’s a massive honour to sign for the Scottish champions and one of the world’s great clubs.
It’s a great opportunity for me to develop under Brendan Rodgers”
Benyu is only Celtic’s second signing after they brought in Jonny Hayes from Scottish Premiership runner-up last season, Aberdeen. They have already missed out on Chelsea striker Dominic Solanke who was snapped up by Liverpool and given the rate at which arch rivals Rangers have been upgrading, Rodgers knows he has to wrap up fast.
Only 19, Benyu has shown way more maturity than his age in fifth-tier side Aldershot Town’s central midfield, where he was sent on loan from Ipswich Town. He has played 23 times for the side last season in all competitions scoring five goals and three assists. His next destination would obviously be the most important move of his life as it will boil down the to managers’ reputations that would be the influencing factor.
Although he is still very raw at the moment, which makes him an unproven prospect; but given the number of big club scouts that were chasing him, he could be worth the fuss already. The Camden-born player is yet to be called up by the national side at any level and breaking into the limelight, like Champions League, would certainly take care of it.
