The managing director of Sturm Graz has hailed the club’s loan move for Celtic’s Albian Ajeti.
The Swiss forward has endured a nightmare time in Glasgow, spending the majority of last season out after an injury sustained in the 3-2 Europa League win over Real Betis, but managing director Andreas Schicker believes that the 25 year old has plenty to offer the Austrian side.
Speaking on the Sturm Graz website, Schicker said (Translated using DeepL Translate): “I have been following Albian’s career for years and am fully convinced of his quality – now the opportunity to sign him has also arisen. His CV and his experience speak for themselves.
“Albian is extremely quick to act, strong in heading, has a nose for goal and generally brings qualities that will be good for our game. After a difficult year for him personally in Glasgow, he has clearly signalled to me that he wants to hit the ground running again at SK Sturm.”
Ajeti himself will be pleased to be given the opportunity to find some regular game time, after failing to play a minute of competitive action since that injury against Betis last December.
He said: “The talks with SK Sturm Graz, Andreas Schicker and coach Christian Ilzer convinced me straight away and immediately gave me the feeling that I was in the right place at the right time here.
“Sturm Graz is a great club with a great tradition and I am very happy to be able to play in Graz in the future. I want to bring in my qualities and experience as soon as possible and help the team in the championship as well as in the upcoming group phase of the Europa League.”
Ajeti made a barnstorming start to his Celtic career with five goals in his first six games but found the going tougher thereafter as Celtic’s title charge in season 2020-21 collapsed before the turn of the year.
Despite some decent showings early in Ange Postecoglou’s reign, he was used almost exclusively in the absence of Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgios Giakoumakis last season.
Given that Sturm Graz have an option to buy of just over £2m, a successful loan and purchase would seem to be the best option for all parties at this stage, with the former West Ham man surely now looking for a home for the foreseeable.
In other news, Ralston highlights Celtic squad standards after Ross County League Cup victory.
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