Dale forge ties with Celtic after transfer

Reporter: Jan Harwood
Date online: 15/07/2008

Rochdale are to play a friendly with Celtic and are in line to loan some of their youth and reserve team players after the Glasgow club signed Dale youngster Matty Hughes on a three-year professional contract.

The 16-year old defender played in almost all of Dale's youth and reserve team fixtures last season.

The two clubs have agreed an undisclosed fee for the player in a deal that means Celtic will play a friendly against Dale at Spotland on a mutually convenient date.

There has been speculation surrounding a big move for Hughes ever since he spent a period on trial with Liverpool last season, while Manchester United also expressed an interest in the defender.

Rochdale Director Andrew Kelly and Youth Team Manager Chris Beech accompanied Hughes north of the border to finalise the terms of the transfer.

A spokesman for the club told its official website: "This is the first deal of its 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."