Ireland U21 winger Festy Ebosele to join Serie A Udinese at end of season

Wexford man has impressed for Wayne Rooney's Derby County in the English Championship

Derby County's Festy Ebosele evades the challenge of Blackburn Rovers' Lewis Travis during the English Championship match at Ewood Park last weekend. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.

Serie A side Udinese have swooped to recruit their second Ireland underage star on a pre-contract, bringing in Festy Ebosele.

The Wexford winger will depart financially stricken Derby County for Italy at the end of the season on a five-year contract.

Speaking last week, Rams boss Wayne Rooney said he nor the Ireland U21 cap wanted to part but it was unavoidable in the circumstances.

Udinese in January signed James Abankwah for €500,000, a deal whereby he is back on loan at St Patrick's Athletic until the summer.