Bodø/Glimt officially lose their star striker with Celtic looming in February

By Euan Davidson

December 23, 2021

FC Krasnodar have confirmed the signing of Bodø/Glimt striker Erik Botheim, with Celtic facing the significantly weakened Norwegian Champions in February.

Two days ago, Fabrizio Romano reported that a deal was close. There’s been something of an exodus at Bodø/Glimt after securing the 2021 Eliteserien title. Patrick Berg has departed, as has Fredrik Bjørkan. Botheim, a similarly important player for the Norwegians, is now gone too.

Botheim scored 15 league goals, as well as 7 strikes in Europe this season. For sure, Krasnodar are getting an in-form striker, who’s just 21-years-old.

A statement from FC Krasnodar said: “On 22 December 2021 FC Krasnodar and FK Bodø/Glimt reached an agreement on the transfer of the 21-year-old striker.

“As for now, all the formalities have been settled and Eric [sic] Botheim has signed a contract with the Bulls that is valid until 30 June 2025.”

Certainly, Bodø/Glimt are a fashionable team right now. After putting themselves firmly on the European map with a thumping of Roma [BBC], their assets are highly prized. It’s not just Berg, Botheim and Bjørkan either. Manager Kjetil Knutsen has rejected several job offers, according to VG.

Rosenborg and Los Angeles FC were interested in snaring the 53-year-old manager, VG reports.

All in, it’s not a good scene for Bodø/Glimt with Celtic looming large. With a winter break and some new signings, the Bhoys will be hoping to make a real dent in the new Europa Conference League. With 9 points from our Europa League group this season, we’re surely one of the favoured teams.

Bodø/Glimt have made three huge sales this month, with Celtic waiting in the wings

Hey, we know how it feels. In the summer, we sold Odsonne Edouard, Ryan Christie and Kristoffer Ajer. All three were big players for us last year. Moving on without them could’ve been tough.

But rather than getting complacent, we should be aware that quick rebuilding jobs can work. Despite losing those players, Celtic have already lifted a piece of silverware this season. It’s not the end of the world.

The Europa League didn’t go quite how we wanted, but 9 points in a significantly challenging group was no easy feat. Celtic will surely be aiming to progress as far as possible in this season’s Europa Conference League, a brand new competition. Beating Bodø/Glimt in February would make a real statement of those intentions.

Bodø/Glimt have had to deal with this kind of thing before, of course. Kasper Junker, briefly linked with Celtic, left suddenly. Jens Petter Hauge left for AC Milan last summer, and Philip Zinckernagel departed too. All three made a sizeable impact for the Norwegian champions.

So, writing them off would be daft. That said, these are three really significant losses for Bodø/Glimt.

They’ll still be ready for their Celtic test. But this news is something of a boost.

Read more: The fringe Celtic Academy graduate who deserves a chance against St Johnstone