Carl Starfelt Celtic transfer exit reasons revealed as Jacynta move and top Euro league ambition play their part

Brendan Rodgers is in the market for a new centre-half after revealing Carl Starfelt is on the verge of leaving Celtic.

The Swedish defender has told Rodgers he wants to leave Parkhead and a bid has been accepted for the 28-year-old. Starfelt is expected to move to a club ‘in one of the top leagues’ early this week - leaving Rodgers short of cover.

He only joined Celtic from Rubin Kazan two years ago and was a key part in Ange Postecoglou’s Treble-winning side last term. But after his partner - ex-Hoops women’s player Jacynta Galabadaarachchi - sealed a move to Sporting Lisbon this summer, Starfelt is about to follow her out of Glasgow. After Saturday’s 4-2 opening day win over Ross County in the Premiership - where Starfelt made his last appearance - Rodgers said: “I wanted to put Carl on as it might be his last game here.

“There has been interest in him and he wants to take up that possibility. So we will resolve that as quickly as we can. I thought it would be nice for him to get a final appearance at Celtic Park. The clubs are in communication now and I’m sure that will go through in the early part of next week, if not before.

“Clearly, Carl probably felt it was the time to move on. He has been really respectful and has loved his time here.

“There are obviously certain conditions he has thought about, like going to one of the top leagues. Economically, it’s hard to compete on that side and obviously his partner is no longer here anymore and has moved on.

“So there are a number of reasons why he would like to move on. He’s been a total professional, first class. And if it doesn’t go through, I know I can rely on him. But I think it probably will. And yes, we'd need to get another centre half in.

“The whole idea was to