Brendan Rodgers has expressed his delight over Liel Abada’s decision to extend his contract with the Scottish side.
The new four-year contract will see the Israeli international remain at Celtic Park until the summer of 2027. Rodgers’ endorsement comes amidst “significant transfer interest” from various European clubs, including Sporting Lisbon, Ajax and Southampton.
Celtic have been successful in retaining one of their key assets despite the serious attention Abada has received from other clubs. Sporting Lisbon, Ajax and Southampton were among the teams heavily interested in securing the 21-year-old’s services.”We know there was significant interest in Liel from other clubs, so we’re delighted that he has committed his future to Celtic,” said Rodgers on Celtic’s website.
“Already he has made a great contribution to Celtic, delivering some great performances and making a real impact. His energy and ability are real assets to us, and his delivery in terms of goals and assists from wide areas has been excellent,” added Rodgers. Indeed, with 29 goals in 105 appearances, Abada has proven to be a consistent performer for the Hoops.
The manager emphasised the youth and potential of Abada, stating, “He is a fantastic young player, and now we hope he can build on what he has achieved so far and develop even further.” Abada’s long-term commitment to Celtic appears to be in line with Rodgers’ plans to assemble a squad that can compete at the highest levels, both domestically and in Europe.
With Abada’s contract secured, Celtic’s attention now shifts to other players, including Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate. Contract extension talks with Hatate are set to commence following the closure of the transfer window.
Brendan Rodgers’ positive reaction to Abada’s contract extension highlights the significance of the player in Celtic’s tactical framework. Avoiding what could have been a significant loss, given the interest from other clubs around Europe, Celtic have managed to keep one of their brightest talents. Rodgers is optimistic that Abada will continue to be a key figure in the squad, contributing vital goals and assists as they push for domestic and European glory.
