Celtic defender leaves Parkhead permanently to sign ‘three-year contract’ with KV Kortrijk

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Celtic have reportedly said goodbye to their third summer exit.

The Hoops released goalkeeper Scott Bain, who went on to sign for Scottish Premiership newbies Falkirk days later.

While Ange Postecoglou’s signing Joey Dawson was allowed to leave for Scunthorpe United permanently, the club Celtic signed him from.

Now, it is being reported by The Celtic Way that the Hoops have sold one of their young defenders to a Belgian team.

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Matthew Anderson leaves Celtic for KV Kortrijk

They claim that Matthew Anderson has made a ‘cut-price’ permanent switch to KV Kortrijk, who were relegated from the Belgian Pro League last season.

Anderson is a left-back and plays regularly for Scotland U21. The report adds that he has signed a three-year deal with KV Kortrijk.

Anderson leaves Celtic without making his first-team debut, and it is said his decision to depart was influenced by a desire for regular senior football.

The youngster had spent the last two campaigns out on loan to Austrian side Admira Wacker, who Celtic share a partnership with.

Celtic fans caught a glimpse of Anderson last summer when the Hoops played the likes of DC United, Manchester City and Chelsea in the USA.

He had one year left on his Celtic contract, which explains why KV Kortrijk were able to pay a small fee for his services.

Stephen McManus says Anderson has ‘massive future’

Just days ago, Celtic B head coach Stephen McManus delivered Anderson a glowing appraisal in an interview with the Daily Record.

McManus said: “He’s got a massive future in the game, absolutely massive. He’s a terrific boy with a brilliant family, and again, you can only stay with us, with the B team, for a couple of seasons.

“Matthew outgrew the B team two years ago. That’s why he’s not played for the B team. That’s why the next stage of his development was to go out on loan.

“Some people make their debut at 16 and then go and play for the rest of their careers. Some people are 21, 20, they need to go a different route. That’s fine, that’s fine.

“But what you need to do is, when you get an opportunity, you need to try and become a football player, and that’s what Matthew’s done.

“He’s a terrific boy, terrific worker for a terrific family, and he’ll be a top player. He’ll be a top player.”