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Brighton agree deal for Celtic starlet Kerr

Brighton manager Chris Hughton (REUTERS)
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HITC Sport understands Brighton have won race for Celtic youngster.

Brighton fans celebrate

Brighton & Hove Albion have agreed a deal to sign highly-rated Celtic youngster Josh Kerr, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club.

The 19-year-old, who joined Celtic from Hamilton in 2013, has been a regular in Celtic’s youth sides since his arrival at Parkhead and he was handed a three-year professional deal in 2014 after impressing for the Bhoys.

Celtic fans as New Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is presented after the press conference

Kerr, who can play at right-back and centre-back, helped Celtic win the Scottish Youth Cup with victory over Rangers at Hampden Park last month and a number of clubs in England and Scotland have been monitoring his situation at Celtic.

Kerr’s contract at Celtic Park expires next month and Celtic offered him a new deal to stay at the Scottish champions.

However, Premier League new boys Brighton have stolen a march on their rivals by moving quickly to land Kerr.

The news is a blow to Celtic who had hoped to keep hold of Kerr as they look to promote several young players into the first-team over the next couple of seasons.

Kerr is initially expected to link up with Brighton’s under-23s side before pushing for a place in Chris Hughton’s first-team plans.