NEIL LENNON created a smokescreen around potential transfer dealings regarding Bolingoli yesterday when he said he didn’t know of any concrete offers and that he expected him back at Lennoxtown next week. Less than 24 hours later, however, the 25-year-old was confirmed as a new signing for Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir.
Posting on their Twitter account, the Superliga side welcomed the Belgian as he posed with his new No.63 shirt. The deal is a loan for the year with an option to buy and the player was paraded with the club’s CEO and Vice President following the agreement of terms.
✍ HOŞ GELDİN Boli Bolingoli Mbombo
➡️ https://t.co/6sXcsHprcb pic.twitter.com/Cea9NAhygf
— İstanbul Başakşehir (@ibfk2014) September 13, 2020
As a result of his actions, Celtic were forced to have two games postponed meaning they were two games short of match fitness for the game against Ferencvaros. Ironically, he will have the chance to compete in the Champions League. It is unlikely that he will play for the club again and hopefully Celtic can recoup some of the £2.5m they paid Rapid Vienna for the player with the deal with the Turkish Cha,pions.
Lennon confirmed that the club had conferred upon the Belgian the highest possible punishment available to them after his breaching of Coronavirus protocols. Bolingoli decided to go to Spain for one night and failed to quarantine when he returned, putting the whole of Scottish football at risk of being shut down again.
Now, Celtic need to get another left back and hope that this one doesn’t have any holidays planned.
