Finnish side HJK Helsinki has confirmed that Celtic loanee Conor Hazard will return to the club after his spell came to an end last week.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper joined the Scandinavian side in the January transfer window on a years-long loan.
Hazard quickly established himself as the number-one shot-stopper at the club, making 39 appearances this season and keeping 14 clean sheets in those games.
The Celtic academy graduate helped his loan side to another Finnish league title and also had the opportunity to play European football after securing a Europa League group stage spot through the qualifying process.
But the Northern Ireland international’s ventures on the continent weren’t much of a success, with HJK losing all but one game against AS Roma, Real Betis and Ludogorets.
After spending the 2022 campaign as HJK Helsinki’s number-one goalkeeper, you would potentially expect that the club would be looking to keep him on board.
However, it appears that Hazard will be returning to Lennoxtown this winter, as his loan side announced the players who will be departing the club.
Alongside several loanees and youngsters at the club, HJK expressed their thanks to the goalkeeper, who was awarded supporters player of the year and wished him all the very best for the future.
In a short message, the club said [HJK Helsinki (as translated by DeepL)]: “Conor Hazard has returned to Celtic as agreed after a great year on loan and continues to pursue new dreams. Thank you, Conor!”
Could HJK Helsinki return for Hazard as keeper prepares for Celtic future talks
Although there is currently no indication that HJK Helsinki will look to sign Hazard once again, you would imagine there is still a possibility.
After a successful season between the sticks, Hazard has picked up valuable experience and looks to have impressed during his spell in Finland.
As he prepares to return to Lennoxtown, talks are likely to take place regarding his future at the club, with just over six months left on his current contract at Parkhead.
The summer signing of Ben Siegrist has seen Hazard fall even further down the pecking order in the club’s group of goalkeepers.
So it seems like a long way back for the shot-stopper to make his way into Ange Postecoglou’s plans at his boyhood club.
I am sure Hazard will have had aspirations of being Celtic’s future number one, following a short spell between the sticks under former boss Neil Lennon. And he may still hold those hopes after a solid loan spell.
But the best move for all parties at this stage feels like moving on, and his temporary spell out in Europe might have helped attract further interest.
We will have to wait and see what the future holds for the former Hoops prospect. After a long season, he is likely to be granted some time off before returning to the club once again.
In other news, Motherwell star O’Donnell makes shocking VAR confession; credits “relentless” Celtic.
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