Former Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata has completed a move to Belgian league side Club Brugge after departing Hertha Berlin.
The 31-year-old has spent the last four years in Germany, having a spell as captain of the Bundesliga side and helping them avoid relegation via the play-offs during the 2021/22 campaign.
However, Boyata was told this summer he had no future at the club and was stripped of the captaincy, leading to his eventual move to Belgium, signing a three-year deal in Brugge.
Before his spell in Germany, Boyata had a successful period at Parkhead, lifting four Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish cups and a further two Scottish league cups.
The central defender had spells working under Ronny Deila, Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon before departing on a free transfer in the summer of 2019.
During his final season in Glasgow, Boyata found himself having to re-establish his place in Brendan Rodgers side after a brief disagreement with the current Leicester City boss ahead of the Bhoys Champions League qualifying match against AEK Athens.
However, having played his part in the 2016/17 Invincible side and such a successful period of trophy success for Celtic, the defender will be remembered fondly for his time here.
Boyata will now make a fresh start in Belgium, playing back in his home country for the first time since leaving as a youngster to join the Manchester City academy in 2006.
He will also be joined at Club Brugge by a familiar face in Jack Hendry, who he spent time with at Celtic between 2018-2019 and is currently on the club’s books.
Although, it may not be for too long, with reports suggesting that the Scotland internationalist might be headed for the exit door after reported interest from Burnley earlier in the window.
Dedryck Boyata set to make his UEFA Champions League return alongside Celtic.
A move back to Belgium also marks the return to playing Champions League football for Dedryck Boyata.
Of course, the defender has previous experience in the world’s biggest club competition, having been part of the Celtic side that qualified in the 2017/18 season.
The Belgium internationalist made five appearances in the group which included PSG, Bayern Munich and Anderlecht.
Boyata helped the Bhoys reach the knockout stages of the Europa League by finishing third in Group B, thanks to an impressive 3-0 victory over Anderlecht on the road.
With Celtic also marking their return to the Champions League this season, we won’t be seeing the defender making a return to Parkhead, with the Hoops and Club Brugge being situated in pot 4.
However, I am sure he will be hoping to use his experience from his time in the green and white to help him whilst playing back in his homeland.
In other news, Joe Hart details the brilliant atmosphere Ange Postecoglou has created at Celtic.
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