CARL Starfelt departed Celtic and headed to La Liga side Celta Vigo in the summer transfer window.

He was one of Ange Postecoglou’s first signings at Celtic, and despite a shakey start, played a pivotal role in the team’s double and treble success.

He was probably unfairly criticised by some section of the support, but he left a big slot in central defence to be filled in.

Many speculated that he had opted for the move to the club because his partner, Jacynta who’s formally of the Celtic Women’s team, had been announced as a Sporting Lisbon player a few weeks prior.

Brendan Rodgers, among others, pointed to this as a potential reason for the Swedish defender’s departure from Celtic.

However, Starfelt has vehemently denied such claims. He insists his decision was influenced by football reasons, although he concedes that being closer to his parents, who reside in Lisbon, is an added bonus.

He said: [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.

“They presented a good project where they want to invest and push up the table. They’ve brought in Rafa Benitez as a manager as well, so that felt like a good move to me. It’s a dream I’ve had to come to a really big league, says the centre-back and continues to pay tribute to his new coach a little extra. He is a really good coach who has been through a lot and achieved a lot in his career. You have a lot to learn from him.”