Massimo Donati signs former Celtic youngster as part of Sampdoria rebuild

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Massimo Donati is an icon around Celtic.

Although he only had two seasons with the Bhoys, the midfielder endeared himself to the fanbase at Celtic Park.

Donati’s goal against Shakhtar Donetsk was the highlight of his time in Glasgow and his love for Celtic even led to him getting the club crest tattooed on his chest.

Now retired, Donati has become the manager of Sampdoria after they narrowly avoided relegation to Serie C.

In a bid to rebuild the club and challenge for promotion, the new Sampdoria boss has been busy in the market and even found time to make a signing who also has a connection to Celtic.

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Liam Henderson joins Sampdoria to keep Celtic connection alive.

Liam Henderson is one of many to come through the Celtic academy but go on to spend the bulk of his career elsewhere.

Henderson made 37 appearances for the Bhoys in total but has been in Italy ever since joining Bari.

After leaving Empoli for the second time at the end of last season, he was confirmed as Sampdoria’s latest signing over the weekend.

He’s reportedly signed a two-year contract with an option for a third and is expected to be a mainstay in the side.

The reason why Liam Henderson left Celtic

Playing for Celtic is the dream for so many people and to give that up as a boyhood fan is never easy.

Henderson got to play alongside talents like Virgil van Dijk but when the opportunity to join Bari back in 2018 came about, it was one he wanted to grasp with both hands.

Speaking to ESPN in 2019, he said: “I’ve been fortunate enough to play for Celtic.

“It was perfect. For me, it was more important to go and play for Bari. I thought, ‘If I don’t get paid, it’s life. It’s maybe going to do me a bit of good to get a bit of the real world in my career because since joining Celtic as a 12-year-old, I’ve had everything.'”