With Vasilis Barkas heading out on-loan to FC Utrecht in the Eredivise, the Celtic supporters were elated and relieved that that particular episode has been expunged – temporarily at least. Today, there have been links with ex-Dundee United ‘keeper Benjamin Seigrist which you can read right here on The Celtic Star.
More information has now surfaced surrounding the finer details of the deal and it is claimed by in the know Greek journalist, Giannis Chorianopoulos that there is no option-to-buy clause inserted in the agreement that saw one of Celtic’s biggest modern mistakes in the transfer market move to Holland.
Taking to Twitter, the Greek reporter said:
“No option to buy clause at Celtic – Utrecht deal for Vasilis Barkas
@CelticFC”
No option to buy clause at Celtic – Utrecht deal for Vasilis Barkas@CelticFC #Celtic #CelticFC #Barkas
— Giannis Chorianopoulos (@choria80) June 8, 2022
News that there is no option-to-buy does suggest that Celtic may be playing it cool with this one, considering the huge outlay they initially forked out for the big Greek.
On the reasons for signing Barkas, Utrecht technical director Jordy Zuidam, as reported by Daily Mail, said: ‘Due to the ongoing injury of Fabian de Keijzer and the departure of Eric Oelschlägel, we aimed to strengthen our goalkeepers’ guild. We are very pleased that this has been achieved with Vasilis Barkas.
“Vasilis is a big and athletic goalkeeper. He has good reflexes, rules in the air in the box, stands his ground in one-on-one duels and has charisma. Vasilis is also an experienced keeper, who has played under the bar at top clubs in Greece and Scotland and has played the necessary international matches with Greece. He gives our team an absolute boost.”
For his part Barkas is happy to be moving to Holland as that’s where his mother is from. The former AEK Athens goalkeeper said, as reported by on the Dutch club’s official website: “My mother is from here so I’m really happy that I came back. The last time I was here to visit Holland was 18 years ago, so it’s been a long time. So I can’t wait to meet some people here, and to see the Dutch philosophy, the food. I’m really excited.”
On joining Utrecht Barkas added: “It’s really amazing. It’s a great honour for me to be at a great club with nice, crazy fans that I know and in a really good league.
“So I feel excited and I can’t wait to start training with my new team. I want to get myself to work and help the team try to go as far as we can, to get European football again, back where we have to be. And, of course, to play nice football.”
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