Celtic have a number of players returning from loan this summer.
Brendan Rodgers sent the likes of Gustaf Lagerbielke, Stephen Welsh and Luis Palma on loan to get them minutes after they were deemed surplus to Celtic first-team requirements.
Lagerbielke left Celtic for FC Twente last summer after the Swede made just ten appearances since moving to Parkhead from Elfsborg in the summer of 2023.
But now, as the Celtic defender plans his return to Paradise, Lagerbielke got emotional as he bid farewell to the FC Twente fans.
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Gustaf Lagerbielke bids farewell to FC Twente as return to Celtic beckons
Lagerbielke clearly enjoyed his season at FC Twente after making 32 appearances with 19 of those the Swede completed the full 90 minutes.
And now heading back to Celtic, the defender got sentimental as he sent a message to the Eredivisie side’s fans.
Lagerbielke said on Instagram, “Tukkers, from the first day arriving in Enschede, I felt at home.
“Every day I drove to the training ground in Hengelo, I felt excitement.
“Every day I was around the team and the staff, I felt joy.
“Every day I put on the Twente shirt, I felt proud.
“Every day I played in front of you supporters, I felt honoured.
“And today I feel grateful. Grateful for all of you and for letting me be a part of your family.
“Bedankt [Thanks].”
What’s been said about Gustaf Lagerbielke’s Celtic future
Now that Lagerbielke is heading back to Celtic, ‘there have been many takes on where his future lies.
Arnold Bruggink, FC Twente’s technical director said of the Celtic defender, “Lagerbielke will most likely go back (to Celtic) too. That’s what it looks like at the moment.
“(We need) two central defenders, one of whom has to be a real leader, as far as I’m concerned. The profile you’re looking at is that of Robin Pröpper.
“You need a leader from the back, which will give you a lot more stability.”
Lagerbielke himself said of his Celtic future, “I have learnt from being abroad. You don’t have so much say in everything. I just focus on the next game, even if it sounds cliché.
“Then the negotiators will have to sort it out. If I have something to say about it, I’ll give my view on it later.
“There are big forces at work, so I have to focus on football.”
Well, it seems that those ‘big forces’ are leading Lagerbielke back to Celtic and where he goes after that, who knows.
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