Gustaf Lagerbielke thanks supporters for making Celtic so special

Gustaf Lagerbielke has penned a farewell message to Celtic on his Instagram following his £2 million departure to Portuguese side SC Braga…

IMAGO Photo by Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock Gustaf Lagerbielke and Anthony Ralston of Celtic celebrate as the final whistle sounds. Final score Rangers 0 Celtic 1. Rangers v Celtic, Cinch Scottish Premiership, Ibrox , – 03 September 2023

The Swedish international arrived at Celtic in the summer of 2023 but featured in only 10 matches during his debut season in Glasgow.

During the 2024/25 season, Lagerbielke was loaned out to FC Twente in the Dutch Eredivisie, where he made 32 appearances in all competitions.

Now, Lagerbielke has signed a five-year deal at SC Braga. Celtic have also inserted a 10% sell-on clause in the contract should he depart the Primeira League side.

Taking to Instagram to compliment everyone connected to Celtic, Lagerbielke said:

“I want to thank you for the last two years. To all the players I’ve had the privilege to get to know and share a pitch with. To the staff who have always been there and that I’ve learnt a lot from. And an extra big thank you to the supporters for always being there for the team and for making this club so special. I wish you all the best of luck in the future and that Glasgow continues to be green and white.”

Shortly after joining, it quickly became clear that Brendan Rodgers favoured alternative defensive options, with his final start for the team coming in September 2023. His best moment in a Hoops jersey came in the Champions League in December 2023 where he headed home the winning goal against Feyenoord in a 2-1 victory at Celtic Park.

Liam Scales and Gustaf Lagerbielke of Celtic celebrate following the team’s victory during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Feyenoord at Celtic Park on December 13, 2023. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic have secured a decent transfer fee for the centre-back, while SC Braga provides him with an opportunity to restart and revive his career in Portugal’s top-flight.

Rodgers has acknowledged that the Scottish champions plan to strengthen the centre-back position in the coming weeks, especially as Maik Nawrocki has also departed on a season-long loan to German second-division club Hannover 96.