Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers have missed out on Kyle Joseph after Swansea City confirmed the arrival of the Wigan Athletic striker on an undisclosed fee, as reported by the club’s official website.
Wigan supporters always knew this day was coming.
Despite escaping the jaws of successive relegations last season, it always felt unlikely the club’s prized asset would stick around for another season of third-tier action.
Joseph has been receiving offers from higher up the football pyramid since he burst on to the scene with a hat-trick against Burton Albion in December.
Rangers and Celtic miss out on Joseph as Swansea swoop
In May, The Chronicle reported Newcastle United – perhaps looking to right the wrongs of their Ivan Toney blunder – were pushing for the arrival of another EFL prospect.
Joseph was also a target for Celtic and Rangers, amid claims a deal for one of the most exciting young talents in England’s lower leagues would set either of them back a compensation fee of just £800,000 (Daily Mail).
Wigan offered Joseph a new contract in May.
But, much to their disappointment, the 19-year-old chose to follow former Portsmouth and Wigan man Jamal Lowe on a journey south to Swansea City. Joseph has signed a deal until 2025.
Here’s what some Swansea fans had to say on Twitter about the signing:
Perhaps his decision had something to do with the fact that, in former England U17 coach Steve Cooper, Swansea have a manager who played a key role in the development of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden – although there’s still a chance Cooper could take up the vacant managerial role at Crystal Palace.
This is the second time Celtic and Rangers have missed out on an exciting, EFL-based teenager this summer after Kwadwo Baah put pen to paper at Watford.
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