Celtic were linked with free agent striker Gary Hooper over the summer.
Celtic chose not to sign a new senior striker over the summer, instead going for a youngster in ex-Southampton talent Jonathan Afolabi.
The Bhoys kept the faith with Odsonne Edouard, Leigh Griffiths and Vakoun Issouf Bayo, with Afolabi now being developed being those three more senior strikers.
There were links with some forwards though, and one of the names touted for a move to Parkhead was free agent attacker Gary Hooper – a former Celtic hero.
The Scottish Sun reported back in May that Neil Lennon was keen to bring Hooper back to Celtic on a free transfer, six years since he left Celtic for Norwich City.
The 31-year-old was signed from Scunthorpe United by Lennon in 2010, and he was a real favourite with Bhoys fans after hitting 82 games in 138 appearances.
Even in August, Hooper was retweeting calls for him to join Fraser Forster in re-joining Celtic, but any lingering chance of him heading back to the club as a free agent look set to end.
According to iSport in Iran, Hooper has ‘reached a final agreement’ to sign for Iranian side Esteghlal, potentially making a somewhat bizarre move to the Middle East.
Esteghlal finished third in the Persian Gulf Pro League last season, and recently appointed former Inter Milan boss Andrea Stramaccioni as their new manager.
Ex-Napoli defender Hrvoje Milic and former Bordeaux striker Cheick Diabate are the only two non-Iranian players in the squad, but Hooper may be about to join them if reports in Iran are to be believed, and surely rules out a Celtic return once and for all.
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