Ajer’s Celtic Cash-Back: “Quite simply, I’ve become a Celtic supporter”…”Leaving now means I can give something back”

More on what Kris Ajer has been saying to the Norwegian media today, courtesy of the thread from @TheCynicWolf, the Norwegian Celt over on The Cynic. Ajer emphatically signals his intention to leave Celtic this summer and confirms that he has an agreement in place with the Celtic Board, reached last summer and repeated in January, that he would be allowed to leave to join a club in one of the top 5 leagues in Europe this summer.

Kris Ajer clearly has a huge affinity for Celtic, today describing himself as a Celtic supporter and understands that by leaving now the club will be able to gain from the transfer to assist in the re-building process that is about to begin.

The intention is almost exactly as reported earlier this year when the Norwegian manager came out and stated that Ajer needed to leave Celtic to play in one of the big leagues in European football, if he was going to reach his potential. Incidentally it’s exactly a year to the day since Ajer changed agents and the process of sorting out an appropriate move for the Norwegian central defender got underway.

However the talk then was of AC Milan interest, today it is Newcastle Utd and Norwich City, maybe with Leverkusen as an outside bet who are the likely suitors.

There’s very little that we can find fault in in what Kris Ajer has been saying today. By getting his position out in the open he’ll be able to hold his head up high and from what I’ve been reading today, there is no ill-will being directed towards him from any Celtic supporter.

“I was promised I could leave last summer, but we then agreed I would stay to try and help club win 10 in a row. That was important to the club, but unfortunately we didn’t succeed. Now I’m expecting the club to keep its word.”

“There is not a set fee agreed (that club will sell him for), but I expect them to find a solution.”

Ajer also stated that Celtic repeated their promise to sell him as recently as this January. “This won’t come as a surprise to the club, they know what I want. I think it is important for them to sell me to get funds in order to help with a rebuild of the club,” he added.

Asked if he is aware that his comments will cause a stir: “Yes I am. At the same time I hope my intentions are clear. I’ve been at the club for 5 years and given my all. I hope people will appreciate I want to give something back to the club and not go for a free (next summer).”

Ajer believes both parties will benefit from a transfer in the summer. He emphasises his wish not to leave the club empty handed with no transfer fee and how important it is to him:

“Quite simply, I’ve become a Celtic supporter.”

Photo: Andrew Milligan

Asked about his time in Glasgow, Ajer had this to say: “Celtic is a fantastic club. From outside, it’s difficult to understand how big the club is: playing in front of 60,000 spectators every weekend, walking around the streets and really feeling the atmosphere, it’s been absolutely fantastic.

“I’ve really gotten to know Scottish people, they’re incredibly warm and I have made close relationships here that have supported me through both ups and downs. Celtic has been a fantastic experience and is a club I owe extremely much to,” he added.

“I don’t feel I’ve outgrown Celtic. Celtic is a huge club that require you to be at your best all the time. But I want to see how far I can get and for that I have to play in a better league. I think it’s important for my development that I go to a higher level (of league)”

“I’ve trained really hard every single day and have achieved what I have today because I’ve put in the most work. Now I want to see how far I can get, and for that I think it’s important to play in a top five league”

“When playing for Norway I’ve experienced that the quality of opposition has caught me by surprise at times, so I think it is important for the future that I get to a better league. But again, I have to must emphasise that I’ve become extremely fond of Celtic. I could have stayed for another six months and taken most of the transfer fee myself, but leaving now means I can give something back to a club that has meant so much me.”

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

1 Comment

  1. Red Scotland on

    If Ajer wants to “give something back” then he needs only sign another 4 year deal with the promise to sell him at the end of next season with 3 years remaining on his deal and he’ll be sure to have got the best deal for the club financially, since he’s such a fan.