Carl Starfelt was a stalwart in the heart of defence for Celtic during Ange Postecoglou’s run as the manager of the club. It feels like he often did not get the credit that he deserved for his contributions to the team. They did not lose a single league game in which he and Cameron Carter-Vickers started together over the two seasons.
Starfelt left the club this summer and joined Celta Vigo. On the other hand, the club have signed three centre-backs this summer in the form of Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Nat Phillips, who is on loan from Liverpool.
Let’s see if they are able to fill the void left behind by Starfelt. There were heavy rumours that the Swede had left in the summer to stay closer to his partner, Jacynta Galabadaarachchi, who also departed Celtic and joined Sporting Lisbon.
Brendan Rodgers’ comments appeared to back that theory up. But it looks like Starfelt was taken aback by the claims. As reported by Glasgow Live, he told Expressen:
"“It is clear that it is a plus. She and also my parents live in Lisbon, so it will be a bit closer. But above all, it was football that decided. It was maybe a little exaggerated, so maybe I was a little shocked [about Rodgers’ comments and the reaction].“When you leave you get a little sentimental, even though I am convinced that I have come to enjoy myself in Spain.“I will always be very grateful for my time at Celtic, you understand what a great club you have been a part of. I will look back on that when I retire, what good years I had there. I kept saying it would be something good for me to leave, and then this came up.”"
Starfelt admits he was taken aback by Celtic boss’ comments
At the end of the day, it is not hard to see why Starfelt might have been attracted by the idea of playing in La Liga. He is 28 years of age and might not have too many opportunities ahead of him to play in a top-five European league.
Fans were left surprised by the transfer fee that Celtic got out of his exit though. It is believed that Starfelt joined Celta Vigo for a figure around €5 million, similar to what he had joined the Hoops for a few summers ago. That is low for a proven centre-back.
Of course, this has become a bit of a familiar story in recent years. Both Josip Juranovic and Giorgos Giakoumakis left the club for disappointingly low transfer fees as well.