Ireland women's national team defender Caitlin Hayes has left Scottish giants Celtic to join Brighton in the Women's Super League. Before her move, Hayes shared an emotional video highlighting her childhood connection with the club, revealing a deep-seated love for Celtic that stemmed from a young age.
Ireland defender Caitlin Hayes has left Celtic fans in no doubt that the club will always be close to her heart. The 29-year-old has swapped the Scottish side for Women’s Super League outfit Brighton - and ahead of the move she posted an emotion-filled video, where she recounted a story from her childhood. Hayes joined Celtic in 2020 from Lewes, and won a Scottish Premier League title and two Scottish Cups. In playing for the Glasgow giants, she fulfilled a childhood dream .
She said ahead of her departure: “This sounds so daft, but there’s a picture of me playing football at Celtic Park that got taken when we played Glasgow City. The Green Brigade are in the background and you can see the Irish flag flying. “And then my mum sent me a picture of me playing at Center Parcs (as a child in a Celtic kit) of all places, and it’s a picture of a picture, so the quality is terrible, and I’m always standing exactly the same. “It sounds like… people are going to think I’m making it up, but I genuinely remember when I was nine years old putting that shirt on, and I knew the weight it carried. “It was with a bunch of nine-year-olds and I just vividly remember being proud to wear that green and white, and thinking I don’t want to be anybody other than Caitlin Hayes in a Celtic top. “I remember kids would put on different t-shirts and tops and be, like, I’m going to be Ronaldo, and they’d be wearing a United top. I was like, I’m going to be Caitlin Hayes in this Celtic top because I don’t want to be anyone else and I don’t want any other top. “That sounds so random to even remember, but I vividly remember it. I just felt that photo and the photo that was taken at Celtic Park against Glasgow City collided that day, and it was almost like everything just fit together.” Along with the video, she posted the message: “I dreamed, I lived and I will always be a fan that got lucky. Thank you Celtic. Once a Celt, always…” Brighton confirmed Hayes’ signing, with head coach Dario Vidosic saying, “We're delighted to welcome Caitlin to the club. “She's an experienced player who has competed at many levels in the game, including cup finals and the Champions League. “She's progressed well in her time in Scotland and we're looking forward to seeing her compete in the WSL with Brighton.”
Football Caitlin Hayes Celtic Brighton Women's Super League Scottish Premier League Childhood Dream Transfer
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