“A Celtic team needs a Swede,” Mikael Lustig tweeted in a video message shortly before Celtic announced the arrival of the latest Swedish star…
📲🇸🇪 Incoming video message from Mika Lustig! pic.twitter.com/knUY3HLE9A
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 16, 2023
Celtic have confirmed the signing of Swedish defender, Gustaf Lagerbielke, who has joined the club on a five-year deal from IF Elfsborg, subject to international clearance.
The 23-year-old, who has spent his career to date playing in Sweden, has made 16 appearances in the Swedish league this season since it began back in April, making his final appearance for the club on Sunday, while he has also scored two goals.
And in January this year, he won his first cap for the Swedish national side, playing in a friendly win over Iceland.
Gustaf appears delighted to have signed for the Hoops. “It feels really good, and I’m really excited and proud to be here. The first thing you think of when you hear the name ‘Celtic’ is obviously the fans, this stadium and the atmosphere the fans create here.
“And also, all the good players who have played here and who are playing here now, so I’m really excited to play with them and hopefully win a lot of games and titles.”
Gustaf becomes the sixth summer signing for Celtic where he joins Marco Tilio, Odin Holm, Hyeokkyu Kwon, Hyunjun Yang and Maik Nawrocki.
Brendan Rodgers also commented on his new signing. The Celtic manager said: “We are really pleased to finalise the deal for Gustaf to join the club. He is an exciting, talented young player who has great attributes and someone who I think is ready for the challenges that Celtic will bring.
🟢 Lagerbielke in the Green & White! ⚪️#VälkommenGustaf🇸🇪🍀 pic.twitter.com/RL8PXSvY16
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 16, 2023
“I know he is really hungry to achieve success with us. We think he will bring even more quality to our squad and we really look forward to working with him.”
So it’s one Swede in and one out with Carl Starfelt leaving to join Celta Vigo and Gustaf Lagerbielke coming in to begin his own Celtic story. And the new Bhoy will take the No 4 jersey vacated by Starfelt.
Here’s Gustaf’s Welcome to Celtic interview with Celtic TV…
🆕 #VälkommenGustaf 🟢⚪️
Highly-rated Swedish defender, Gustaf Lagerbielke, joins #CelticFC on a five-year deal – subject to international clearance ✍
Welcome to the Champions, Gustaf! 🇸🇪🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 16, 2023
Welcome to Celtic Gustaf Lagerbielke 🍀🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/7w3ffEZ39Z
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) August 16, 2023
Gus Lagerbielke is the latest Swedish player to join Celtic!
Has any other country consistently supplied us with quality talent 🤩
Carl Starfelt
Johan Mjallby
Mikael Lustig
Magnus Hedman
Daniel Majstorović
John Guidetti
Freddie Ljungberg— Steve Hoops (@Shoops88) August 16, 2023
