Islam Feruz bails out of Celtic Park for Chelsea
We can exclusively reveal that Celtic have lost one of their top youngsters to English Premier League giants Chelsea, as Somali-born Islam Feruz swaps Parkhead for Stamford Bridge.
According to our source close to Celtic’s youth setup, Feruz will make the move to Stamford Bridge, and will be paid £2,500 per week in wages. He will also share a penthouse flat near the ground, paid for by the club.
A legal loophole, means that the English side can sign Feruz for a compensation fee of no more than £300,000. Feruz could not formally sign professional terms for Celtic until his 16th birthday in September, but Chelsea have stolen a march on the Parkhead side to swoop for one of Scotland’s up and coming talents. Under English FA rules, Feruz cannot sign professional terms until he is 17 years old, therefore he will stay on youth terms.
It is a massive blow to Celtic, who helped the player and his family stay in Glasgow after fleeing war-torn Somalia in 2001. They were saved from deportation by the late Tommy Burns, who lobbied government officials.
The youngster made his first ever senior outing for Celtic in the Tommy Burns’ memorial game in 2009, where he lit up the event with his raw talent. And due to the five-year school rule, now represents Scotland despite having no Scottish bloodline.
Celtic declined to comment on the matter, while a Chelsea spokesperson said: “Until an official press release is made by Chelsea FC, we cannot make any comments regarding signing speculations.”
Published in Scotzine - August 5, 2011