Celtic youngster Feruz set to snub SPL for Chelsea

CELTIC are poised to lose one of their top youngsters to Chelsea, as striker Islam Feruz is set to swap Parkhead for Stamford Bridge.

It is understood Feruz will sign youth terms on a wage of around 2,500 per week at Chelsea. Under English FA rules, the 15-year-old cannot sign full professional terms until he reaches the age of 17.

Celtic will be dealt another blow as Chelsea are set to take advantage of a legal loophole, that will allow Roman Abramovich's side to snap up the striker for around 300,000 in compensation.

The Somali-born youngster looked set to sign professional terms with Neil Lennon's side on his 16th birthday this September, but Chelsea have swooped for one of Scotland's up and coming youngsters.

The loss of Feruz - who also impressed for Scotland during the Victory Shield last year - is a blow for Celtic, who helped the player and his family settle in Glasgow after fleeing war-torn Somalia in 2001.

The late Tommy Burns personally lobbied government officials to save Feruz and his family from deportation back to his homeland.

It was this close bond with Burns which saw Feruz make his first ever senior outing for Celtic in Burns' memorial game in 2009, earning many plaudits for his performance.

Celtic declined to comment on the matter, while a Chelsea spokesperson said: "Until an official press release is made by Chelsea FC, we cannot make any comments regarding signing speculations."