EFL club make move for aggressive free agent months after Celtic exit as boss admits 'we must sign the boy'

Former Celtic academy prospect Justin Osagie has secured himself a move to League One promotion hopefuls Peterborough United.

The 19-year-old defender joined the Hoops from the Academy of English Premier League side West Ham United in September 2022.

He racked up 20 appearances for the Celtic B team, featuring 19 times in the Lowland League and once in the UEFA Youth League before being released by Brendan Rodgers’ side at the end of last season without ever making a first team appearance.

Osagie, who has been called up to represent Republic of Ireland at Under-19 level on several occasions, has signed a one-year contract at the London Stadium following a successful trial period with the Peterborough first team.

The move sees him work with Darren Ferguson, son of Sir Alex Ferguson, who is currently in his fourth stint with the Cambridgeshire based side.

“Our recruitment team were aware of Justin and have been for a number of years,” the Posh boss told the club website.

“He was a kid at West Ham United, he moved up to Celtic and was released at the end of the season.

"Obviously Celtic is a different level to us. He has come in to train with us and he has done very well, extremely impressive.

"I feel that, even though it was not a position we were looking at as we have Ollie Rose and Jenson Sumnall of the younger centre backs, it was a case of we must sign the boy because he is a talented kid. 

"He will come into the Under 21s, but he will be training with the first team a lot. He is quick, aggressive, very good on the ball, lovely attitude and really keen on signing, which I think is because of the pathway we have up to the first team.  I am looking forward to working with him, I think he will do well for us."

Peterborough have built a strong reputation for bringing young players into their ranks and harnessing their potential. In recent times, the club have brought through the likes of Emmanuel Fernandez and Ollie Rose, James Dornelly and Donay O’Brien-Brady.

While youngsters such as Harrison Burrows and Ronnie Edwards were both sold for big-money fees over the summer.