Anwar El Ghazi sees Celtic transfer pitch fall at first hurdle as FIFA put brakes on Green Brigade love in

Free agent Anwar El Ghazi may have offered to turn out as a Celtic player for free this season - but FIFA rules have slammed the door shut on the prospect of a move.

The former Aston Villa, Everton and Ajax star claimed he would play for the Scottish Premiership champions side for nothing following the latest display from the Green Brigade - which showed support for Palestine before the draw with Kilmarnock. El Ghazi has been without a club since his contract at German club Mainz was cancelled last November after the player posted a message on social media about the conflict in the Middle East.

He showed his support for Celtic on his Instagram page by offering to play for the Hoops for nothing this term - and with the future of winger Liel Abada in doubt amid interest from the MLS a move for the 28-year-old has captured the imagination of some Parkhead punters. Israeli winger Abada has come under pressure from international teammates and others in Israel who have urged him to leave the club given the fans' pro-Palestine stance.

A move Stateside from Celtic Park is one of the few options with clubs in America still able to sign players from overseas until April 23. However, a like-for-like replacement in El Ghazi this term is off the table under current FIFA rules.

Transfer regulations from world football's governing body state a football player is only allowed to be registered with a maximum of three clubs in one season - and play official matches for two clubs. Wide man El Ghazi made a three-minute cameo off the bench on the second day of the Eredivise season against Vitesse before making a switch to Germany.

He made just two appearances for Mainz before being suspended by the club in October following comments on