Festy Ebosele agreed a move to Italian side Udinese tonight and will move from Derby County in the summer.
The Wexford lad, 19, has signed a five-year deal and will become team-mates with James Abankwah, who was loaned back to St Pat’s from the Serie A side until July.
But Derby boss Wayne Rooney feels the Ireland Under-21 international - who is knocking on the door of the senior team - should have stayed in England.
Versatile Ebosele, 19, is out of contract at the end of the season but Derby are in administration and powerless to prevent him leaving as they cannot offer new deals.
Rooney said: "If you’re asking me do I think it’s the right move for him, then no I don't. I think he should stay in England.
“Whether it’s a move where he goes there to go back to England, obviously we know Udinese are a sister club to Watford, we don't know.
"I think he should have stayed in England, kept learning to play the game here then he really has a chance. It is always difficult for a young player to go abroad."
Rooney added: “I said a few months ago he can be a superstar, he can be what he wants.
“He really needs to keep his focus, his concentration, and keep learning to develop. Just by sheer pace and power alone he has got something which every player wants.
Last week, Ireland boss Stephen Kenny also declared that while the Italian move was interesting, he would prefer to see Ebosele develop in England.
Kenny said on Friday: “I think he is an asset for any team. I would have been happy for him to stay at Derby and develop, personally.
“Wayne Rooney has done a terrific job developing young players there, numerous players.
“He has done a remarkable job that Derby are anyway in contention to stay up, considering the kicks in the teeth they have had to deal with.
“They are consistently losing players every week and massive points deductions, and blooding all those players, he has been terrific.
"I would have been happy for Festy to stay there but it's into the unknown for us.
“I am not against [Irish players] going to Italy, so long as they play regularly. The key thing is they get an opportunity to play."
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