Gustaf Lagerbielke has left Celtic to join Portuguese side Braga on a permanent deal.
The Swedish defender shared a message on Instagram thanking the club, his teammates and the supporters as he moves on after two years in Glasgow.
Lagerbielke arrived at Celtic in August 2023 from Swedish club Elfsborg in a deal worth around £3 million. He made just ten appearances in a Celtic shirt, with limited chances to impress under Brendan Rodgers.
One of his standout moments came in the Champions League when he scored against Feyenoord in a 2-1 win.
Despite that, he fell down the pecking order and was loaned out to FC Twente last season. He had a strong campaign in the Eredivisie, playing regularly and helping Twente finish in the top four.
The Dutch club chose not to make the move permanent, and Braga have now stepped in to complete the signing.
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The Portuguese side are believed to have paid close to £2.7 million for the defender, who has signed a five-year deal and joined their pre-season camp. Lagerbielke is expected to compete for a starting place in a side that finished fourth in the Primeira Liga last season.
His exit is part of a wider shake-up at Celtic this summer. Maik Nawrocki has also left the club, joining Hannover 96 on a season-long loan with an option to buy. With both Lagerbielke and Nawrocki gone, Rodgers is likely to bring in new faces at the back.
Celtic have already been linked with a number of defenders, including Dutchman Justin de Haas. He could be brought in to add depth behind established options like Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Auston Trusty.
Benfica’s Angel Di Maria in action with Famalicao’s Justin de Haas REUTERS/Miguel Vidal
Lagerbielke’s farewell message reflected well on his time in Glasgow, despite limited minutes on the pitch. He thanked the staff for their support, the players he shared a dressing room with, and gave special mention to the supporters for making the club what it is.
While things didn’t fully work out for the Swede at Celtic, he leaves with the respect of those who worked with him, and he now has the chance to make a fresh start in Portugal.
