LUCA Connell has walked out on Wanderers to join Celtic on a four-year deal.

The midfielder – who just 24 hours earlier had a request to terminate his contract rejected by Bolton’s administrators – has now pushed through a dream move to Parkhead.

A legal challenge was made yesterday to Wanderers by the SPL club which left them with no option but to allow the midfielder, who has been with the club since the age of nine, to head north of the border.

But administrators say Celtic were generous with the fee they paid, hinting that it had surpassed the cross-border development fee of £250,000 that had been predicted.

The Bolton News understands the fee was in the vicinity of £350,000 - with Celtic agreeing to match what Bolton would have received if he had signed for an English club.

Wanderers had the option of taking the matter to a tribunal but decided the likelihood of success did not tally with the money and time it would have cost to mount a case. 

A spokesperson for the administrator said: “We took legal advice once Luca submitted his notice of termination. However, the discrepancy in the regulations between England and Scotland meant we had no option but to accept the situation.

“To their credit, Celtic recognised that and have agreed to pay substantially more than the financial obligations in Luca’s contract.”

Connell, who made just 12 appearances for Bolton having broken into Phil Parkinson’s first team in January, was thrilled by the move to Glasgow.

"It's unbelievable to sign for such a massive club," he said.

"I'm more than ready for the pressure and expectation and I'm really looking forward to it."