High-profile Celtic man set to leave the club and join Aston Villa

Aston Villa is set to make a significant addition to their commercial team by bringing in Adrian Filby, the highly-regarded Commercial Director from Celtic FC as per Glasgow World. This move comes at a crucial time for Villa, who are grappling with severe financial issues.

Adrian Filby has been an important fgure at Celtic since 2008, marking his second tenure with the club. His initial stint at Parkhead was from 1997 to 2002, where he served as a Special Projects Manager before transitioning to the Scottish media industry.

Filby, a University of Strathclyde graduate and a qualified chartered accountant, has been instrumental in securing some of Celtic's most lucrative commercial deals.

One of Filby's most notable achievements was the historic five-year kit sponsorship deal with adidas in March 2020, estimated to be worth around £30 million. This deal, the most lucrative in Scottish sport history, was a testament to Filby's expertise and negotiation skills.

Peter Lawwell, former Celtic chief executive and current chairman, praised Filby for his role in securing this partnership, highlighting the strength and stability it brought to the club.

Alongside the adidas deal, Filby also established key partnerships with Ladbrokes as the in-stadium betting partner at Celtic Park and renewed an agreement with Forbes Bespoke Suits as the club's Official Tailoring Partner. Additionally, he also struck a four-year partnership with EA Sports, making them the exclusive Official Video Game Partner of the Scottish Premiership Champions.

Aston Villa's decision to bring Filby on board is a strategic move to address their precarious financial situation. The club is currently nearly £120 million in loss, far exceeding the Premier League's Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, which allow maximum losses of £105 million over three years.

This financial pressure has made it imperative for Villa to find ways to balance their books, and Filby's proven track record makes him an ideal candidate to help steer the club towards financial stability.

While Filby's impact may not be immediate, his expertise in securing high-value commercial deals is expected to bring positive changes to Villa's financial landscape. The club's fans will be hopeful that his arrival marks the beginning of a turnaround, allowing Villa to focus on on-field success without the looming threat of financial instability.

Adrian Filby's move to Aston Villa is a significant development for both clubs. For Villa, it represents a strategic effort to address their financial challenges, while for Celtic, it marks the end of an era of successful commercial partnerships. Both clubs will be looking to the future with anticipation, hoping that this change will bring about positive outcomes.

Villa fans will be eagerly awaiting the impact of his commercial acumen, hoping that it will translate into a more stable financial future for the club.