Aston Villa 'make move' for key Celtic figure in summer transfer window

Aston Villa look to have pulled off something of a coup ahead of the 2024 summer transfer window - the Villans have yet to add any new players to their squad, but they are set to complete a deal to add Celtic FC Commercial Director Adrian Filby to their commercial team.

This is according to an exclusive report from GlasgowWorld. Filby’s time at Celtic was a financial success - he helped to broker a five-year deal between the club and Adidas in March 2020, which saw the Celts net around £30 million. This deal remains the lucrative kit sponsorship in the history of Scottish sports.

Additionally, Filby also oversaw a deal that saw Ladbrokes become Celtic’s in-stadium betting partner at Celtic Park - he also successfully renewed a deal with Forbes Bespoke Suits, keeping them as the Hoops’ Official Tailoring Partner.

That’s not all - he also signed a multi-year exclusive deal with FIFA publishers EA Sports, which saw them become Celtic’s Official Video Game Partner of the Scottish Premiership Champions.

He had spent two stints at Celtic during his time with the club. His first Celts spell lasted from 1997 to 2002, where he acted as a Special Projects manager.

He left for a number of years after this to pursue a media role, before returning to the green side of Glasgow in 2008. He is a graduate of the University of Strathclyde and is also a qualified chartered accountant. Prior to this, he cut his teeth at PKF as an Assistant Audit Manager.

As such, it seems that Villa’s finances will be in capable hands when Filby officially joins the club. As things stand, it is unclear when the deal will be finalised - Unai Emery and the rest of his backroom staff at Villa Park will be hoping that they can get it over the line before the window closes.