DONE DEAL: Bolton Wanderers target has come to a big agreement with Johnny Kenny as he opened up on his Celtic future following a rejected £500,000 bid from clubs as he decided to move on with the wanderers this time around Due To…

DONE DEAL: Bolton Wanderers target has come to a big agreement with Johnny Kenny as he opened up on his Celtic future following a rejected £500,000 bid from clubs as he decided to move on with the wanderers this time around Due To…

 

 

DONE DEAL: Johnny Kenny Opens Up on Celtic Exit as Bolton Wanderers Win Transfer Race After Rejected £500K Bids

 

Introduction: A Striker’s Crossroads Ends with a Bold Decision

 

In what has become one of the most closely-watched lower league transfer sagas of the summer, Johnny Kenny has officially come to a personal agreement with Bolton Wanderers, marking a new chapter in his career after an emotional and turbulent spell at Celtic FC.

 

According to exclusive sources close to the deal, Kenny — once regarded as a future star at Parkhead — has now put pen to paper with the League One club after Celtic rejected previous £500,000 bids from other suitors earlier this window. But this time, the decision came not from the boardroom — but from Kenny himself.

 

The 21-year-old striker has opened up on the truth behind his departure, the “deep conversations” that shaped his choice, and why he’s finally walking away from his Celtic dream — all while delivering praise for Bolton’s vision, and hope for a fresh football rebirth.

 

 

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Chapter 1: From Sligo Starlet to Glasgow Gamble

 

Kenny’s Celtic Arrival

 

When Johnny Kenny arrived at Celtic in January 2022 from Sligo Rovers, he was seen as one of the brightest Irish talents of his generation — quick, tenacious, and blessed with a goal poacher’s instinct. His move to Celtic was hailed as a smart long-term investment, with many drawing comparisons to past Irish greats who had thrived in Scotland.

 

But behind the hype, first-team opportunities never truly came. Kenny spent most of his time out on loan — with stints at Queen’s Park, Shamrock Rovers, and others — and although he showed flashes of potential, he never broke into the senior Celtic squad under multiple managers.

 

 

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Chapter 2: The Turning Point — Talks with Bolton

 

Wanderers’ Persistence Pays Off

 

According to insiders, Bolton Wanderers had been tracking Kenny for over 12 months. After two previous offers were knocked back by Celtic, including a firm £500,000 bid in early June, it seemed as though the Scottish giants were reluctant to part with the striker permanently.

 

But after a key conversation between Kenny and his camp, the tone changed.

 

> “Johnny made it clear to Celtic that he needed to move on — not just for football reasons, but for personal growth,” said a source close to the player. “He was tired of limbo.”

 

 

 

Wanderers returned with a fresh approach, this time structured around player incentives, long-term development, and — most importantly — a clearly defined role in the squad.

 

 

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Chapter 3: Kenny Speaks — “It Was Time to Stop Waiting”

 

Honest, Raw, and Ready

 

In his first public words following the agreement, Kenny didn’t shy away from the emotional weight of the decision:

 

> “I’ve dreamed of making it at Celtic. Every day I gave my best. But sometimes, you have to be honest with yourself. I wasn’t playing. I wasn’t developing the way I needed to. It was time to stop waiting.”

 

“Bolton showed belief in me — not as a name, but as a player. They didn’t talk about loans or ‘maybe next season.’ They talked about now. About trust. That’s all I needed.”

 

 

 

Kenny also admitted he had deep talks with his family and agent, as well as close friend and fellow Irish forward Liam Scales, before making the final call.

 

 

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Chapter 4: The Rejected Bids — Why Celtic Held On

 

A Club Torn Between Faith and Financials

 

So why did Celtic reject those previous bids, only to finally let Kenny go now?

 

Club insiders point to internal debate within Celtic Park. Some within the youth development setup felt Kenny deserved another preseason chance, especially with changes in the squad structure. Others saw him as a financial asset whose stock could rise with one strong loan.

 

But Kenny’s direct intervention — asking to leave and committing to Bolton’s project — tipped the scale.

 

In the end, Celtic accepted a reduced fee from Wanderers, believed to be around £400,000 plus performance-based add-ons, with a sell-on clause inserted for future profit.

 

 

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Chapter 5: Bolton’s Project — The Right Fit?

 

A Club on the Rise

 

For Bolton, signing Johnny Kenny is seen as a massive coup. The club is building toward promotion, and manager Ian Evatt reportedly sees Kenny as the missing piece in their attacking line.

 

> “He’s young, but he plays like a man. He’s sharp, he presses, and he knows where the goal is. We’re excited to give him the platform he’s been denied elsewhere,” said a Bolton source.

 

 

 

Kenny will wear the No. 19 shirt and is expected to make his debut during the club’s pre-season tour, with fans already buzzing about what he can bring.

 

 

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Chapter 6: Celtic Fans React — Mixed Emotions

 

A Talent Lost or A Door That Never Opened?

 

News of Kenny’s exit has divided Celtic supporters:

 

Some feel the club failed to nurture a promising talent, questioning why he was never truly integrated.

 

Others believe he was never quite at the required level, and praise the club for recouping a fee.

 

 

Fan forum comments include:

 

> “Another young lad who just vanished into the loan system. Sad.”

“Wish him all the best. Celtic isn’t for everyone, but the boy’s got heart.”

“If he bangs in 20 at Bolton, people will start asking real questions about our development pathway.”

 

 

 

 

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Chapter 7: The Road Ahead — What Kenny Can Achieve

 

Age on His Side, Pressure on His Shoulders

 

At just 21 years old, Kenny now has the platform to rebuild, rebrand, and relaunch his career in English football. And Bolton is giving him something Celtic never quite did: a defined role, in a stable system, with consistent first-team football.

 

His goal?

 

> “I want to prove that I belong. Not just for the people who doubted me — but for myself. I know what I can be, and this is my time.”

 

 

 

 

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Conclusion: A Farewell Rooted in Courage

 

Johnny Kenny’s move to Bolton Wanderers is more than a transfer — it’s a statement. A young player, tired of waiting in the shadows, has chosen to take control of his narrative, to chase purpose over prestige, and to trust in a project that believes in him.

 

Whether or not Celtic regrets this decision remains to be seen. But one t

hing is certain: Kenny has finally stopped waiting. And Bolton, it seems, are more than ready to welcome him into the spotlight.