Josip Juranovic has taken to Instagram after it was confirmed he had left Celtic to join high-flying Bundesliga side Union Berlin on a permanent basis over the weekend – and both Albian Ajeti and Nir Bitton were among those to react.
Juranovic, 27, has joined Union on a deal that will last four and a half years – after 18 months at Celtic. In that time, he played 53 times in all competitions for the Scottish champions. He had a hand in nine goals, winning two trophies.
But after his World Cup performances, interest was aplenty. A host of English clubs wanted the star to join as back-up. Chelsea with Reece James, Manchester United for Diego Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Newcastle, and Kieran Trippier.
However, Juranovic wants a starting role and decided to turn those sides down in order to join a team where he is first choice. He moves to Union, who after beating Hoffenheim on Saturday, have climbed to third in Germany’s top tier.
Juranovic is believed to have cost Union a fee in the region of £10million, including add-ons. A decent profit given Celtic signed him for just £2.5million from Legia Warsaw. He took to Instagram after a move was confirmed on Sunday.
Ajeti and Bitton react as Juranovic leaves Celtic to join Union Berlin
It is a good move for all parties. Juranovic joins a side where he will be first choice, a team still in the Europa League this season – they face Ajax in the knockout stages – and, in with a chance of Champions League qualification.
Union even have a shot at the title. Bayern are only five points ahead, with the Bundesliga season only just surpassing the halfway stage. He will start. Union have got one of the World Cup’s best defenders for a bargain fee, this month.
For Celtic, even though they might have charged more, they have received a tidy profit. Better to sell now, than let the memory of a good World Cup dissipate – and the premium on his price tag, too. Ajeti and Bitton responded on Insta.
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