Official: Vata Is A Hornet!

Watford FC is delighted to confirm the signing of Rocco Vata from Celtic on a four-year contract, with the option of an additional year.

The Hornets will be liable to pay training compensation to Celtic, under FIFA regulations relating to players of Vata’s age.

The 19-year-old forward makes the move south after progressing through the Parkhead side’s academy to make six appearances for the senior team, scoring once.

Vata is a Republic of Ireland youth international, most recently featuring for the Under-21s where he has scored five goals in just three appearances.

After joining Celtic aged seven, Glasgow-born Vata signed his first professional contract with the Bhoys in July 2021. His father, Rudi Vata, was also a professional footballer who played for Celtic, making 60 appearances between 1992 and 1996.

Vata took part in pre-season training with the Hoops ahead of the 2022/23 campaign but began the season featuring for the club’s B team in the Lowland League.

His impressive start to the season, which saw him bag eight goals in his first 14 matches, earned him a call up to the senior side.

The youngster's professional debut came soon after as he featured from the bench against Hibernian at Easter Road in December 2022. This would prove to be the first of four Scottish Premiership appearances in 2022/23.

Vata was included in the Celtic squads which travelled to Australia for the Sydney Super Cup during the break for the 2022 World Cup, and Japan for their pre-season tour ahead of the 2023/24 season.

He appeared predominantly for the B team last term, keeping up his impressive scoring record with 13 goals in just 16 appearances.

The 2023/24 season also saw the midfielder score his first professional goal. Coming on as a substitute in the Scottish Cup fourth round tie at home to Buckie Thistle, Vata fired into the roof of the net from close-range to round out the 5-0 victory.

He also made a sole appearance in the Scottish Premiership away at Aberdeen in February. 

Internationally, Vata can choose to represent either Scotland, Ireland, Montenegro or Albania, with his father making 59 international appearances for the latter.

So far, he has opted to play for Ireland, and first featured for the Under-15s in 2019. Vata has risen through the age groups and earned his first Under-21s call-up in August.

He grabbed a brace in his debut against San Marino, before scoring a hat-trick in the reverse fixture in March.

Welcome to Watford, Rocco!