Work permit granted for Rogic's Celtic move

22/01/2013 8:46:00 AM

After a fee was agreed between Celtic and the Central Coast Mariners, Tom Rogic has now been granted the necessary paperwork for his move to the Scottish Premier League leaders

By MICHAEL HUGUENIN

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Australian midfielder Tom Rogic has sealed his four-and-a-half year contract with Celtic after being granted a work permit.

Central Coast Mariners are expected to receive around AU$750,000 as a transfer fee for Rogic, who leaves the Gosford-based A-League club after two seasons and 28 games.

Celtic announced on their website on Monday that Rogic has been granted the required work permit by the British government and will join the club officially after he returns to Australia to complete "some final paperwork".

"Celtic are delighted to announce that a work permit for Australian Tom Rogic has been approved," the club said in a written statement.

"The 20-year-old midfielder previously played for Central Coast Mariners in Australia, and has signed for Celtic on a four-and-a-half year deal.

"The highly-rated youngster will now return to Australia to complete some final paperwork before returning to Glasgow and getting his Hoops career underway."

Rogic quickly became one of the stars of the A-League last season, having joined Central Coast after being named one of the winners of Nike's global talent search, 'The Chance'.

The 20-year-old playmaker almost signed for Reading before joining the Mariners but was denied a work permit.

Reading's loss was Central Coast's gain as Rogic burst onto the scene with his silky skills and a handful of stunning goals.

In November, Australia head coach Holger Osieck gave the youngster his full international debut in a friendly against South Korea.

While Reading, Queens Park Rangers and Fulham were all reportedly interested in signing Rogic, it was Celtic who made the decisive move, inviting the midfielder to their mid-season training camp in Spain earlier this month, with the Mariners' accepting Celtic's bid last week.