The summer transfer window may have closed with Celtic making nine additions to their squad, seven on a permanent basis and two on loan. But the Hoops are continuing to strengthen the club as a whole, even if not the senior side. And they have added another defender to their B Team roster.
Celtic signed three centre-backs this summer in the form of Gustaf Lagerbielke, Maik Nawrocki and Nat Phillips, on loan from Liverpool for the first half of the season. And now, they have added a centre-back to their B Team as well.
As reported by the club’s official website, Celtic have completed the signing of Australian defender Liam Bonetig. He will join the Academy after agreeing a three-year deal.
The Australian centre-back will Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea’s B Team squad, where he will continue his development. He was part of the Western Sydney Wanderers Academy before making the move to Celtic.
Celtic confirm signing of defender on three-year deal
Bonetig appears to be a good addition to the B Team ranks. Now, it remains to be seen how he develops there and whether he is eventually able to make the jump to the senior team.
That is something that not many have been able to achieve in recent years, even though Celtic have had a number of highly-rated youngsters in their youth ranks. Let’s see if Bonetig is able to do so.
Of course, a large part of that has been down to the fact that many youngsters have chosen to leave the club before ever making their mark on the senior team. The only player who has come through Celtic’s youth ranks and is a regular starter right now is captain Callum McGregor. The likes of Anthony Ralston and Stephen Welsh have roles in the team, while James Forrest barely gets starts anymore.