Defender Starfelt leaves Celtic to join Celta Vigo

Sweden central defender Carl Starfelt has left Celtic to join La Liga side Celta Vigo for an undisclosed fee.

He played 87 times for the club and won five domestic trophies including last season's historic Treble.

Starfelt has signed a four-year deal with Celta Vigo, who are now managed by former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

Manager Brendan Rodgers said Starfelt, whose girlfriend Jacynta Galabadaarachchi joined Sporting Lisbon after leaving Celtic in the summer, said after the opening-day victory against Ross County that the defender was eager to move.

He BBC Sportsound: "He's a player we'd like to keep but if he doesn't want to be here, we have to close the deal. That's something that'll develop next week."

Celtic spent £4.3m on Polish centre back Maik Nawrocki in the summer but Rodgers said if Starfelt left he would need to recruit a replacement.

More to follow.

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