Celtic have confirmed that Blues midfielder Kundai Benyu will join them on a four-year deal when his Town contract is up on July 1st.

The Blues will be entitled to compensation for the 19-year-old, who was unable to agree new terms at Portman Road, although it's likely to be a low six-figure sum.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Celtic,” Benyu told the Glasgow club’s official website.

“It’s a massive honour to sign for the Scottish champions and one of the world's truly great clubs. It’s also a great opportunity for me to continue to develop as a footballer under Brendan Rodgers.

“I’m looking forward to meeting up with my new Celtic team-mates. I know there’s a lot of hard work ahead of me but I am ready for this, I’m looking forward to the challenge and I can’t wait to get started.”

Highly-rated 19 year-old midfielder Kundai Benyu joins #CelticFC from @Official_ITFC. #BenyuisaCelt

➡️ https://t.co/o9PzTjo4Sq pic.twitter.com/IpRcG9afFs– Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) June 29, 2017

Camden-born Benyu, who spent a successful spell on loan at Aldershot last season, was offered new terms by the Blues with his contract up this summer but talks regarding a new deal broke down. Earlier in the summer, Tottenham, West Ham and Aston Villa were also reported to be interested.

Speaking about Benyu’s situation at the first day of pre-season training on Monday, manager Mick McCarthy said: “He is [out of contract]. He’s free to do, well, he’s not free, but if he goes somewhere there’ll be compensation.”

Asked whether contract talks were still ongoing, the Blues boss added: “Well, he’s not here today, so no.”

After a difficult 2015/16 in which he admitted he had shown a poor attitude, Benyu was allowed to join Tottenham’s U19s for a NextGen tournament in Amsterdam last summer but failed to impress.

Benyu, who was an unused sub for the Town first team but without making it on to the field, subsequently apologised to McCarthy at the start of pre-season training last year and was a regular in the U23s until joining Aldershot on loan in December, where he won rave reviews as he helped the Shots into the Vanarama National League play-offs.

Photo: TWTD

armchaircritic59 added 22:45 - Jun 29 Yes phillo, have to agree that managing "challenging" employees is part of the art of management in any business. Must admit i had to chuckle at the suggestion that George Best was "challenging"! It was often said that the more he drunk on a Friday night, the better he played on the Saturday! Have to say i still have memories of a certain night match at Portman Road, when he destroyed us almost single handedly, think Man U won something like 6-2. Personally, i'd prefer a few employees with an attitude and ability, to a several average "yes sir, yes sir, three bags full sir" types.

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blueboy1981 added 22:52 - Jun 29 ........ 11 players out (of varying quality yes) - and 3 players in to date. How anyone can think this is good is beyond me. More wool to be pulled over the eyes as yet - and the Club will get away with it. Probably the saddest part of it all. Academy ?? ............ becoming a progressive joke at this Club.
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blueboy1981 added 22:52 - Jun 29 ........ 11 players out (of varying quality yes) - and 3 players in to date. How anyone can think this is good is beyond me. More wool to be pulled over the eyes as yet - and the Club will get away with it. Probably the saddest part of it all. Academy ?? ............ becoming a progressive joke at this Club.
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BrettenhamBlue added 23:22 - Jun 29 Correct blueboy1981, but we all know the club is great at spin. Benyu was one of the most exciting players I've seen at ITFC in many years. He won't be worth 50M, but he will be a top player in the next few years. Pochettino views him as a sure fire future England International, but it's hard to say how a players luck might hold. Certainly has the ability but will he stay injury free?

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Len_Brennan added 07:12 - Jun 30 @bluebook : He was good enough for Ipswich Town FC, that's why he was offered a new contract here, but he refused it. The fact that Celtic have given him a contract doesn't mean that he is now automatically going to be in their starting XI come August, nor does it mean that Rodgers won't drop him or take disciplinary action against him should he become disruptive or not perform as expected in training. I've been very critical of McCarthy in some areas, but the lad was clearly not ready to be a regular starter in a Championship side facing possible relegation. He sent him on loan to get experience & give him the first team exposure he needed at a lower level (3 tiers lower). It seemed to be working & Benyu is no doubt better for it. He chose not to come back & fight to prove himself to the club, that's his right. As for the good man managers dealing with youngsters, you are right to a degree. But while Alex Ferguson managed the situation with Ryan Giggs brilliantly, even he had to except defeat with kids like Ravel Morrison & Paul Pogba. Hopefully Benyu's move won't be for £86m or something similar.

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Len_Brennan added 07:16 - Jun 30 * accept even.
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peteswindon added 08:24 - Jun 30 Makes me laugh all these comments, MM manages the lad who admits himself he has a bad attitude and is slatted. Look at it from a non Ipswich supporters point of view. If you where offered the chance to play for Ipswich in the championship in front of 15k fans or at Celtic in front of 50k fans, Not to mention the difference in wages, I wonder what one you would pick???? Remember to players ITFC are employers nothing more nothing less, so if a better opportunity comes up your going to take it.

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braveblue added 08:47 - Jun 30 Another good youngster gone. Suppose he was not a proper bloke. Offered a 4 year contract by Celtic and did not get a single minute on the pitch for our awful first team last year. Typical.
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Elto added 09:07 - Jun 30 There is no spin. We offered him a contract, he declined it. He is going to Celtic. Get a grip.
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Millsey added 09:07 - Jun 30 He turned down the contract offered what else are town supposed to do????)
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WorcesterBlue added 09:08 - Jun 30 This is a shame but it's clear he wants out and fancies himself a bit so let's move on. We've got Dozzell and Nydam in the wings plus Hyam and Bishop to hopefully come back to form. All home grown and all want to be here. I genuinely think a fit Hyam or Bishop with Huws is a good midfield pairing particularly when ahead of someone like Webster. Young, hungry and want to pass the ball.

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leftie1972 added 09:22 - Jun 30 " It's also a great opportunity for me to continue to develop as a footballer under Brendan Rodgers." Do you think that was a dig at Mick?
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