The journey from Celtic Park to English football is one that many have traversed over the years. Pretty much every year, we see people leave Parkhead for the glitz and glamour of the Premier League or the promises of the Championship. And it is not just the players who are making the move down south, either.
Of course, players like Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn, Reo Hatate, Cameron Carter-Vickers and several others are being linked with moves away from Celtic right now. But it is a man working behind-the-scenes who looks set to be the club's first exit of the summer this time around.
As reported by Anthony Joseph, Celtic pathways manager Darren O’Dea is set to finalise his move to Swansea City this week. He has agreed a three-year deal to become the Championship club’s new assistant manager this summer.
This will mark a return to coaching for O'Dea. In the past, he has coached Celtic and Motherwell at the U18 level as well the Hoops' B team. Right now, he is working as the pathways manager but it does not look like he will remain in that role for much longer.
Celtic man agrees three-year deal with English club
Perhaps O'Dea sees a brighter future for himself in coaching than the one he has at Celtic right now. if or when the move does happen, we can only wish him the best in his next step and hope he finds success.
O'Dea has a long history with Celtic. He has not only worked as a coach and pathways manager for the Hoops but also came through the academy ranks as a player and made 70 appearances, winning four trophies in the process.
This is an exciting time for Swansea City, that is for sure. The Welsh club have new owners in place and Luka Modric has a part ownership stake and with the Croatian announcing his Real Madrid exit, could he end up with the Championship club next season?