Udinese agree £4.3m deal for one-time Celtic target Lennon Miller | OneFootball

Udinese, it seems, have agreed a £4.3 million deal, including add-ons, with Motherwell for 18-year-old Scotland midfielder Lennon Miller, according to Sky Sports Miller is expected to undergo a medical with  the Serie A club today, marking a significant step in a career that has been on an impressive upward trajectory.

It would be easy for Celtic supporters to roll their eyes and add Miller’s name to the growing list of Scottish talents who slipped through our fingers, such as John McGinn, Aaron Hickey, Lewis Ferguson, Josh Doig and others. Given the fee involved, there’s a natural temptation to ask why Celtic weren’t pushing harder to get the deal done.

But in this case, the story is likely a wee bit more nuanced.

IMAGO / Shutterstock – Greg Taylor of Celtic with Lennon Miller of Motherwell. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Despite interest from Celtic in January, Miller wanted to go abroad

Despite reported interest from Celtic as recently as January, all indications have been that Miller saw his development path leading away from Scottish football, and that’s fair enough. The lure of Serie A, coupled with a summer spent in the Scotland international setup alongside high profile players like Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour, has made Italy an understandably attractive option.

Udinese’s reputation as a springboard club, known for their aggressive player trading model that has seen both players and managers move on for profit, could make this the first step in a much bigger career journey for Miller. If all goes to plan, a top-six club in one of Europe’s major leagues could be calling in the not so distant future.

Lennon Miller in action against Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Football careers rarely follow straight lines

However, football careers rarely follow straight lines. For every success story abroad, there are examples of talented players who struggled to adapt to new cultures, surroundings, leagues, and playing styles. Should Miller find himself unsettled or struggling for consistent game time with Udinese, Celtic need to ensure the communication channels remain open and they are ready to pounce, before an Eredivisie side or a Championship club gets in first.

As for the fee, it’s worth noting that when the so-called ‘Celtic tax’ is factored in — the premium other Scottish clubs often demand from us — Motherwell may have been seeking something north of £5.5 million. In that context, it’s understandable why Celtic might resist setting a precedent of overpaying.

This isn’t one to criticise Celtic over, not really

This isn’t one to criticise Celtic over, not really. The player wanted to go, the price was pretty hefty, and the pathway he envisions for himself lies beyond the Scottish Premiership.

Still, the lesson here is that the book on Lennon Miller shouldn’t be closed. If and when he reassesses his career options, Celtic should already be in the conversation, ensuring that if there’s a return ticket option from Italy, Celtic remains a potential destination.

Lennon Miller in action against Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

There’s no doubt Serie A is a tough environment for a midfielder to thrive, but Lennon Miller has had the road to success in that league already paved by Scottish success stories. As with any player chucked into a new environment from Scotland it may be a case of ‘sink or swim’.

“If at any point he’s treading water, Celtic need to be ready”

For what it’s worth I’d have few doubts Lennon Miller will glide, rather than sink like a stone. But if at any point he’s treading water, Celtic need to be ready with a life jacket. Because it will be a case of when, not if, Lennon Miller realises his full potential, and it might – further down the road – still happen at Celtic.

Niall J

THE HANGOVER…So better late than never …

Kasper Schmeichel in control as Leighton Clarkson of Aberdeen stretches for the ball during the Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie on 10 August 2025. Photo Stephen Dobson PSI

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