Former Celtic Invincible Erik Sviatchenko was linked with a return to Paradise when Ange Postecoglou took over as Celtic boss in 2021. However, such a moved failed to materialise and now it appears Erik is on the brink of a move to Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo.
That’s according US journalist and ‘insider’ Tom Bogert, who claims Dynamo are close to finalising a deal that will see the FC Midtjylland defender become a ‘Targeted Allocation Money’ (TMA) purchase, meaning Sviatchenko could see his move earning him more than most MLS players but perhaps not as much as those who fall within the ‘Designated Player’ exclusions.
Sources: Houston Dynamo finalizing the acquisition of Danish CB Erik Sviatchenko from FC Midtjylland. Key TAM signing.
Sviatchenko, 31, has 5 caps with Denmark and is captain of Midtjylland, starting all six Europa League group stage games this season. pic.twitter.com/Lwbp0GngSS
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) March 19, 2023
Sviatchenko is in his second spell with Midtjylland having signed for Celtic from the Danish club under Ronny Deila, before returning there after falling out of favour under Brendan Rodgers. But not before ensuring he became a member of the Invincible Celtic treble winning side, who went through the entire season without losing a single domestic match. That’s the real Invincible season, not the one across the city which occurred with no fans in stadiums and who failed in both domestic cup competitions as the St Johnstone fans up in Perth love to remind them!
Sviatchenko, now 31, has 5 caps with Denmark and is captain of his boyhood team Midtjylland. He also started all six of the Danes Europa League group stage games this season, scoring against both Feyenoord and Lazio, as Midtjylland impressively finished second in their group.
It seems such form has attracted Houston Dynamo to Sviatchenko’s talents and will afford the centre half one last big payday and an attractive league to play in and possibly finish his playing days.
The MLS season has already started however clubs can still sign players up to the last week in April, as long as the players are from other leagues. It seems Erik Sviatchenko could well be one player Houston Dynamo are looking to add to their roster ahead of that April deadline.
Sviatchenko was a much-liked character and player, and alongside his wife Anne – who played for the Celtic women’s team – both seemed to very much buy into the ethos of Celtic during their time in Glasgow.
It looked at one stage as if a return to Celtic was on the cards for Erik, but for whatever reason that move failed to materialise. However, Sviatchenko may now have one more big move ahead, and there’s not a single Celtic fan who wouldn’t wish him every success in the MLS.
Niall J
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