- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Celtic have decided to cash in on Liel Abada just months after handing him a new contract, HITC understands.
Liel Abada joined Celtic from Maccabi Petah Tikva in the summer of 2021. The winger cost the Hoops £3.5 million in transfer fees (Sky Sports).
Liel Abada’s spell at Celtic
The 22-year-old, who can also operate well as a forward, did well at Celtic under then manager Ange Postecoglou, who is now in charge of Tottenham Hotspur and is trying to convince Son Heung-min to sign a new contract.
The youngster scored 10 goals and gave six assists in 23 starts and nine substitute appearances in the Scottish Premiership for Celtic in 2021-22.
The Israel international made 13 starts and 21 substitute appearances in the league for the Hoops last season. The winger scored 10 goals and provided five assists in those games.
Postecoglou, who did not always start Abada, left for Tottenham in the summer of 2023, and the 22-year-old has really struggled to make an impact under Brendan Rodgers, who described him as “a fantastic young player” on the club’s official website on September 2023 after Celtic decided to hand him a new contract until the summer of 2027.
Abada has made five starts and four substitute appearances in the Scottish Premiership for Celtic this season. He has scored one goal and given one assist in those games.
Liel Abada is leaving Celtic
Celtic have now decided to part ways with the winger. HITC understands that Abada is heading to Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC, who have agreed agreed terms on a deal worth just shy of £10 million.
Sources have told HITC that Abada is due for a medical in North Carolina in the next 48 hours.
Celtic, whose defender Cameron Carter-Vickers has been compared to Virgil van Dijk, are second in the Scottish Premiership table at the moment with 68 points from 29 matches, two points behind leaders and Old Firm rivals Rangers.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
