Swiss striker Albian Ajeti’s journey through European football took another turn recently, with reports emerging of his release from Turkish side Gaziantep FK. Football App Fotmob released the alert early on Thursday morning and now has him down as a free agent.
The player himself has changed his Instagram bio to sportsperson and not belonging to any club. Ajeti had joined the Turkish club in the summer, seeking a fresh start after a challenging stint at Celtic, where his contract was terminated prematurely.
Ajeti arrived at Celtic in August 2020 amid the tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the club aiming to secure an unprecedented tenth consecutive league title and complete a fourth successive treble. Despite fierce competition for the striker’s role from Edouard and Griffiths, Ajeti made an immediate impact, scoring a late winner on his domestic debut against Dundee United.
However, Ajeti’s time at Celtic was marred by injuries and a struggle to fit into the team’s system under changing management. The arrival of Ange Postecoglou and a new contingent of players from Japan saw Ajeti fall further down the pecking order, with little opportunity to reclaim his place even amid injuries to key forwards.
In search of regular football, Ajeti moved to Austrian club Sturm Graz on loan for the 2021/22 season. Competing in the Europa League, Sturm Graz held an option to make the deal permanent, but despite this potential for a fresh start, Ajeti’s career trajectory took him to Gaziantep FK the following summer. Sturm unconvinced with his goal scoring prowess and his ability to stay fit.
During his time in Turkey, Ajeti faced challenges in adapting and making a significant impact, leading to his recent release. Five appearances and one goal for the Turkish side. This development marks another crossroads in the 27-year-old’s career, raising questions about his next destination and the possibility of reigniting the form that once made him a promising talent in European football.
As Ajeti considers his future, the importance of finding a club where he can thrive both personally and professionally cannot be overstated.
