Exclusive: Celtic and Norwich locked in battle to sign Irish teen sensation
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(Credit: Imago)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Sun 24 August 2025 14:30, UK
Celtic and Norwich are battling it out to sign Irish teenage sensation Vinnie Leonard before the close of the transfer window.
The Dundalk centre-back is regarded as one of the best young talents to come out of Ireland in recent years having made over 60 first-team appearances at the tender age of 17.
A number of clubs across Europe have been tracking Leonard, but Celtic and Norwich are leading the hunt for the Republic of Ireland Under-17 international.
Leonard came through the academy at Dundalk and has featured in all but one of The Lillywhites’ 28 league games so far this campaign.
Dundalk are currently top of the Ireland Division One table by eight points, having only conceded 20 goals in 28 games.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers if fighting to sign Lenard.
(Credit: Imago)
Celtic have previously signed from the League of Ireland when they bought Liam Scales to Glasgow from Shamrock Rovers in 2021 and Johnny Kenny from Sligo Rovers in 2022.
Scales is now a first-team regular, showing the pathway is there for Leonard should the 17-year-old sign for the Hoops, whilst after loan spells at Queen’s Park and Shamrock Rovers, Kenny has broken into the first team squad.
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Celtic have a strong Irish connection and striker Adam Idah is another from the country to currently be in the first team squad.
Norwich manager Liam Manning.
(Getty Images)
Liam Manning joined Norwich as their new manager over the summer and has been busy in the transfer market.
Norwich have signed 10 new players, mostly under the age of 25 as Manning looks to buy young players, who he could then sell on for a profit in future seasons.
Leonard would fit that description, and the Canaries too have a recent history of signing players from the Irish leagues.
Appearances30Goals2Assists2Leanord’s 2024/25 stats in all competitions.
Glenn McCourt and Emmanuel Adegboyega have both joined Norwich’s development squads, a path which Leonard could follow if he decides to move to East Anglia.