Overview:
Franco Célestin, the budding star just lately acquired by Montego Bay United, is seen as “one of many brightest prospects” within the Jamaican Premier League.
From Haiti to Qatar, Spain and Jamaica, teenage soccer participant Franco Célestin has marked himself as a rising star — and his new membership is aware of it.
Jamaica facet Montego Bay United Football Club introduced on Jan. 20 that it signed the 17-year-old initially from Croix-des-Bouquets. Quickly after, the staff’s coach dubbed him as some of the promising kids within the Jamaican Premier League (JPL) on native media.
“He’s a improbable participant, one of many brightest prospects within the league, very skilfull, and may destroy any staff on any day,” Montego’s head coach Xavier Gilbert told the Jamaica Gleaner.
“A participant of this calibre for certain is a superb addition to any staff within the JPL,” Gilbert mentioned. “We’re happy and blessed to have him, and have to present credit score to the chairman and the board for making this attainable.”
Turning heads in Spain and Qatar
Earlier than signing with Montego, the appropriate winger impressed throughout a trial in Spain with second division membership Real Racing Club Santander, profitable a pleasant event’s prime participant award in December. Nonetheless, since Célestin isn’t 18 but, he’s not eligible to signal a contract in Europe.
Célestin caught the eyes of Racing after shining within the Underneath-17 World Cup in Qatar final November. The Croix-des-Bouquets native made historical past within the international event, turning into the primary Haitian to tally a aim and an help in a World Cup displaying.
After displaying glimpses of his expertise in Spain and in Qatar, a number of golf equipment started preventing over the signature, however for now, Montego Bay has gained out.
From scoring towards Montego to becoming a member of them
Montego signed Célestin from one other Jamaican membership Mount Pleasant Football Academy, which he joined in July 2025. Throughout the season, he tallied 4 objectives, together with a banger towards Montego within the semifinals.
“We noticed what he did to MBU within the semifinals and he has confirmed himself,” Gilbert mentioned. “We simply hope he can proceed on the identical path and proceed to convey success to us as he did to his former staff.”
Mount Nice ended up as league champions with six Haitians whole on their roster: Célestin, Raphael Intervil and Angelo Éxilus, Johnson Jeudy, Clifford Thomas and Daniel Saint-Fleur.
Célestin is a product of LEG A-Z, a membership in Croix-des-Bouquets, however he began making a reputation for himself with Haiti’s youth nationwide groups. In 2022, he was chosen because the Caribbean Soccer Union (CFU) Underneath-14 Problem Sequence’ prime participant, tallying six objectives within the event. It was {the teenager}’s first main achievement.
Célestin is understood for his tempo and composure on the appropriate flank. However he’s additionally capable of finding his teammates with correct crosses. Due to his imaginative and prescient and pinpoint passes, Célestin can also be able to enjoying attacking midfield.
Célestin’s new membership Montego Bay’s subsequent recreation is towards Chapelton Maroons at house Jarrett Park on Jan. 25. All eyes will likely be on Montego Bay’s roster to see if the Haitian prodigy may have the chance to make his debut for the membership.