Incoming Celtic signing Luis Palma sought out a recommendation from popular former Bhoys star Emilio Izaguirre before deciding Scotland was the place for him, The Scottish Daily Mail has reported.
Palma is said to have had money-spinning offers from elsewhere in Europe and Saudi Arabia, but is now on his way to Glasgow this weekend to put the finishing touches to a £3.5m Celtic deal.
And journalist Stephen McGowan reports that Izaguirre’s advice was sought in the process after he spent so many successful and happy years with the Scottish champions.
Izaguirre himself has reacted to the transfer, telling The Scottish Daily Mail: “Luis is a player who has talent and it would be very good for him to make the leap from Greece to Scotland. The Scottish league is a very important league and it can help you greatly.
“If the move comes to fruition, Luis has to expect that it will be very close to the English Premier League. During my time there I saw many players from Celtic and the Scottish league go to the English Premier League. If it happens, it will be for the good of the player and for Honduran football.”
Palma, like Izauirre, will be taking up a place on the left flank at Celtic – albeit far further forward as a winger rather than as a left-back. Still, there will be little doubt that Izaguirre’s career was an inspiration to the soon-to-be Bhoy.
Celtic are said to be offering the Honduran international a significant salary increase on his wage at Aris FC in Greece, so while he may have turned down advances from elsewhere, he will still be well-compensated at Paradise.
As Izaguirre notes, he also has a chance to make a real name for himself in the UK and build a rapport with the Celtic support, just as his compatriot once did.
In other news, Dominik Livakovic officially exits Dinamo Zagreb after summer of Celtic links; achievable fee.
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