Albian Ajeti’s horror Celtic transfer comes to an end as Sturm Graz line up exit for outcast striker

Outcast striker Albian Ajeti is close to bringing his spell at Celtic to an end, with Austrian outfit Sturm Graz preparing to seal a loan move for the player.

The Swiss joined Celtic in a £5m summer move two years under Neil Lennon, but failed to make his mark on the Parkhead team during a torrid season in which the club were going for 10 in a row. Ajeti has struggled for consistent game time at Celtic since, despite impressing in brief flashes, including scoring in the early days of Ange Postecoglou's reign in Glasgow in Europa League action, but hasn't featured in green and white in 2022.

The arrival of on-form hitmen Kyogo Furuhashi and Giorgos Giakoumakis meant the former West Ham forward had fallen way behind in the Parkhead pecking order, with some concerns previously raised over his match fitness. Ajeti had been linked with returns to his homeland and other suitors across Europe, but now it appears a formal deal has been struck with the Europa League side Sturm.

According to Kleine Zeitung the 25-year-old is heading to Austria on loan until the end of the season, bringing an end to a hellish spell of lack of game time in Glasgow. It is believed an option to buy of around £2.1m is included in the loan deal, meaning the Hoops could land around half the transfer fee they initialled shelved out for the attacker. In 47 appearances, Ajeti scored nine times for Celtic.

His exit will now free up funds for Postecoglou, with the manager keen on bringing in another striker. He is also believed to want a midfield enforcer.

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