Celtic have confirmed a new cooperation agreement with Championship side Ayr United after talks with Queen’s Park broke down earlier in the summer.
The deal, now in place under new Scottish FA regulations, will allow a select group of Hoops youngsters to gain valuable first-team experience under Scott Brown’s watch at Somerset Park.
The agreement offers greater flexibility than traditional loan arrangements, with players aged between 16 and 21 eligible to move freely between the two clubs throughout the season. The initial cohort includes Celtic pair Jude Bonnar and Kyle Ure, both 19, who have already featured for The Honest Men.
A third player is expected to join shortly, Ayr have teased.
We’re delighted to announce that we’ve entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Celtic which sees some of the Premiership club’s top young talent playing for Ayr United. More flexible than the loan system, the agreement is designed to allow greater playing opportunities for… pic.twitter.com/R2MeBXbFZk
— Ayr United (@AyrUnitedFC) August 1, 2025
The cooperation model is aimed at addressing the development gap for emerging talent, offering regular game time in a competitive environment. The SFA initiative allows up to three players to be registered with both clubs simultaneously, helping to bridge the transition between youth and senior football.
Talks had initially taken place between Celtic and Queen’s Park, but the arrangement collapsed due to financial issues at the Glasgow club. Celtic have since turned to Ayr United, with Brown’s connection to Parkhead a likely factor in the agreement.
One notable exclusion from the partnership is Francis Turley. The Northern Irish midfielder, who has caught the eye with his recent performances, is not eligible under the cooperation framework due to international registration restrictions. He is not available to the Scottish national team.
This partnership marks a fresh approach by Celtic in response to calls for better development pathways, giving promising prospects a more structured route into senior football.
