The former West Ham United striker Veron Parkes was of interest to Celtic before his move to the Netherlands, according to a report there.
Parkes was unveiled as a Fortuna Sittard player earlier on Wednesday, with the club claiming on its official website that he had ‘walked out’ of a contract at West Ham.
But Celtic and Heerenveen were also keen, says Football Oranje.
“I am very happy with the opportunity I have at Fortuna Sittard and I cannot wait to get started,” Parkes said. “I look forward to meeting the staff, my new teammates and the supporters. I will work hard to contribute as soon as possible. Fortuna Sittard feels like the perfect next step for me to develop as a football player.”
Parkes had scored prolifically for West Ham’s youth sides, following his 2017 move across London from Crystal Palace.
And interest from Celtic would align with the Bhoys’ recent strategy of signing up talent from English clubs’ academies.
Kundai Benyu (Ipswich), Tobi Oluwayemi (Tottenham), Armstrong Oko-Flex (Arsenal) and Jonathan Afolabi (Southampton) each arrived at Celtic Park from sides south of the border.
But with Afolabi and Jack Aitchison already struggling to oust those above them in Neil Lennon’s first-team plans, Parkes’ chances of a breakthrough could be greater in Sittard.
Celtic fans – how much did your side need the former West Ham prospect?
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