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Fullname: Luca John Connell
aka: Luca Connell
Born: 20 April 2001
Birthplace: Liverpool, England
Signed: 29 Jun 2019 (From Bolton, est £350k+)
Left: 3 June 2022 (freed)
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Biog
The Liverpool born Luca Connell arrived at Celtic at the age of 18 in hope of a more stable career having come from the self-destructing Bolton Wanderers where Neil Lennon had previously been a manager. Lennon had just taken over at Celtic as manager for the second time, and this was a surprise move with Connell expected to be a work in progress but had to compete already with a high quality stable of young players at Celtic.
He had to be patient, and after being one of the stand out performers in Celtics recent pre-season friendly with Hibernian in 2020 (one of the first post-Covid lockdown matches), Luca Connell caught the eye. However, Celtic took a nosedive in the challenge for a record tenth league title in a row, and the mismanagement under manager Neil Lennon saw many players get little opportunity to prove themselves in a first team that needed refreshing. Luca Connell was to be one of those shunned in favour of other underperforming players, and actually through the season a large number of junior prospects bailed out the first chance they could get due to frustration.
He went out on loan to Queen’s Park and was man of the match on his debut. He made a good name for himself there, helping them to a league title. So one of the few players from the Celtic stable to have progressed that season, albeit away from what was a shambolic Celtic setup during 2020/21. As at Bolton, Celtic took a very bad turn under Neil Lennon, and it must have seemed liked deja vu.
With new manager Ange Postecoglu installed in 2021, a whole new raft of players were brought in as well as youth players flowing through, and for Luca Connell it looked like everything was over before it even had a chance to kick on at Celtic.
Unsurprisingly, Luca Connell was released by in 2022, the old extra year contract extension clause not being exercised. It was quite an unfortunate fall and he never managed to sadly win even a single first team game with Celtic.
A sympathiser could argue that Celtic was lacking in defensive midfielder so Luca Connell was worthy of a chance at least.
In fairness, there were a raft of young players who passed through Celtic in recent years who ended up in a similar situation, albeit some did end up winning a move away to bounce back.
However with the raft of succeeding & performing players from Japan of late, it meant less opportunities for both Luca Connell & other young players.
We wished him the best.
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Luca Connell fee revelation as Celtic stump up the cash to sign Bolton prospect
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/luca-connell-fee-revelation-celtic-17276378
Administrators for the crisis-hit League One side issued a statement following the midfielder’s move to Parkhead on Saturday.
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ByLiam Bryce
10:49, 29 JUN 2019Updated12:15, 29 JUN 2019
Celtic agreed to pay “substantially more” than obliged for Luca Connell as the teenager signed a four-year deal.
The versatile midfielder became Neil Lennon’s second summer signing on Saturday morning as the Hoops moved in to take the Republic of Ireland prospect from crisis-hit Bolton Wanderers.
He submitted a request to have his contract terminated on Friday and the League One club’s administrators have revealed Celtic stumped up well in excess of the £250,000 cross-border development fee due for the 18-year old.
Reports in England on Friday claimed Bolton had rejected Connell’s plea, but administrators admitted differences in regulations between Scotland and England left them with no choice.
But the cash-strapped side were grateful for the Hoops’ gesture to stump up the money in amid their financial struggles.
A statement issued to Sky Sports said: “We took legal advice once Luca submitted his notice of termination.
“However, the discrepancy in the regulations between England and Scotland meant we had no option but to accept the situation.
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Luca Connell on his Celtic dream come true as he sets Champions League target
“To their credit, Celtic recognised that and have agreed to pay substantially more than the financial obligations in Luca’s contract.”
After agreeing a “dream” move to the Premiership champions, Connell immediately set his sights on qualifying for the Champions League.
(Image: Action Images)
Celtic face an arduous road to reach the group stage but the Liverpool-born youngster is determined to help forge a path through four gruelling qualifiers – kicking off against FK Sarajevo on July 9.
He told Celtic TV : “It’s unbelievable to sign for such a massive club, known all around the world.
“I’m looking forward to all the league games but especially the Champions League.
“If I can make my debut in the Champions League, I’ll need that confidence to play in that tournament.”
Connell’s arrival follows the £7million capture of Toulouse defender Christopher Jullien on Friday.
Luca Connell released by Celtic after unsuccessful three-year stint
Luca Connell. Photo: Sportsfile
Luca Connell. Photo: Sportsfile
Aidan Fitzmaurice
June 03 2022 04:23 PM
A dismal spell at Celtic for one-time Ireland squad member Luca Connell has ended as the club have opted to release him, before he could play a first-team game for the Bhoys.
Connell was in demand in the summer of 2019, having broken into the first team at Bolton Wanderers at the age of 17 while his form and potential also prompted then senior international team manager Mick McCarthy to call up the midfielder for a training camp in Portugal.
That summer Connell decided to join Celtic from Bolton, in a deal costing the Bhoys £350,000 but he struggled to make an impact.
He featured sporadically for their B team and was also loaned out, to lower-league side Queens Park, where he played a role in a promotion success last season.
His lack of game time also cost Connell a place in the Ireland U21 squad, with just three caps at that level.
With his initial three-year deal up, Celtic had the option of extending the contract for another year but they have not done so, and Connell is now a free agent.