Gustaf Lagerbielke looks set to make his move to Celtic this week from Elfsborg. The central defender is expected to complete a £3m deal that will see him replace compatriot Carl Starfelt, who left for Celta Vigo last week.
The 23-year-old played in the 1-0 defeat to Hammarby earlier today while Celtic faced Aberdeen up at Pittodrie. Full-time in Sweden brought speculation about whether Lagerbielke had played his last game for Elfsborg. Lagerbielke, who is reportedly 24th in-line to the Swedish throne, seemed excited when asked about the potential of his switch to Paradise.
Speaking after the game to Swedish channel Discovery+, Lagerbielke spoke enthusiastically about the Celtic opportunity.
“It would be a fun challenge to come to a big club in Europe and play in the Champions League and hopefully win titles. So that would be fun.
“It is a very big club with a good Swedish connection with Henrik Larsson, Starfelt, Lustig and Mjallby among others.
“They play in the Champions League every year and win titles.”
Lagerbielke has one appearance for the Swedish National Team and you would expect his move to Celtic as well as the opportunity to play Champions League football as a huge boost to his profile as a player. Interestingly, there has been a suggestion that Starfelt’s agent had helped facilitate a deal in order to secure the move to La Liga, which was likely so that he could be closer to his partner and family in Portugal.
The move could be perfectly timed for Lagerbielke and Celtic as Cameron Carter-Vickers was forced off through injury at Pittodrie. Whilst it may only have been a precaution, the manager will want the player to be fit for the game against Rangers and may not risk him on the plastic pitch at Rugby Park.
Meanwhile, check out Matt Corr speaking to the one and only Martin O’Neill on The Celtic Star Podcast…
