Former Celtic striker Patryk Klimala has left a heartfelt message of thanks for the club and the supporters.
Polish Paddy, as he was immediately Christened by the Hoops faithful, has agreed to join New York Red Bulls in the MLS.
Leaving for the exact fee Celtic paid for him, it probably represents good business. However, it isn’t hard to argue we could’ve utilised the former Poland youth international better.
In a statement shared on Twitter, Klimala said:
“As you probably already know, my time in Celtic is over.
“The time I spent here, however short, was a gift from God to me. I would like to thank everyone who has given me the chance to be part of this great club. I will never forget [the] warm welcome and the support the fans gave me during the year spent here.
“In Celtic I was lucky to meet really good players, coaches and people who mobilised me to work harder every day.
“The progress I have made here allows me to be optimistic about the future.
“Now it’s time for the United States. I’m pretty excited about it. Thank you for all the messages and calls. Hope Celtic gets the title back as soon as possible.
“I keep my fingers crossed for you!
“Yours, Polish Paddy”
“Gift from God”; Celtic fans will be no doubt keeping an eye on Patryk Klimala as he sets off for MLS
No, there’s just something in my eye. It’s nothing.
Fine, that’s an emotional message to read. Call it recency bias if you will, but again, what could’ve been with Klimala. We just never got to see him at his best. Truly, we never saw the Polish striker fulfilling his potential at Paradise, despite spending £3.5m on the guy on a four-and-a-half year deal [Daily Record].
It was an odd move from the outset. Neither a precocious young talent nor ready for the first-team, you could imagine in easier seasons Klimala might’ve been given more opportunities. But like Bayo before him, he played bit-part roles and was never truly allowed to develop with us.
Now joining a considerable ex-Celtic contingent at New York Red Bulls, we’ll surely be keeping an eye on their results in the hopes that Klimala comes good.
READ MORE: Our players are soft, and Roy Keane would fix that, apparently.
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