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The little-known clause in Henrik Larsson’s Feyenoord contract that allowed Celtic move to happen

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Henrik Larsson has revealed that there was a little-known release clause in his contract that allowed his move from Feyenoord to Celtic to happen.

Larsson became a Celtic legend after joining from the Dutch giants and is regarded by some as the best to wear the green and white.

The free-scoring forward was a guest on the latest Stick to Football podcast where he chewed the fat about his time in Glasgow.

Everybody knows how the story went after he signed, but how did the transfer come about?

There’s nobody better…

Henrik Larsson celebrates scoring a goal for Celtic in their Scottish Premiership clash
Credit: Getty Images/Chris Furlong

Henrik Larsson explains how Celtic transfer came about

After struggling for game time with Feyenoord, Celtic made the move to sign the forward in 1997.

Wim Jansen was the manager of the Hoops at the time, and he used his knowledge of an unknown release clause to sign Larsson.

He told the Stick to Football team: “I was at Feyenoord at the time and felt it was time for something new. At the time, going to the Scottish league was seen as a step back. Feyenoord had won the league the year before, but Ajax were so strong. I didn’t always play and wanted to play more.

Henrik Larsson celebrates scoring for Celtic in 2004
Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images

“I had signed a new deal at Feyenoord, but I had a clause in my contract – a certain amount inside Holland and a certain amount outside.

“Wim Jansen, who had brought me to Holland originally, knew about it. Maybe he shouldn’t have known – but I’m happy he did, because that’s how I ended up at Celtic.”