Nir Bitton in post Celtic transfer as he agrees two-year deal with option at new club

Nir Bitton has found a new club following his summer exit from Celtic.

The Israeli international ended nine years of service at Parkhead on a high as he helped Ange Postecoglou's men recapture the Premiership title from Rangers and win the Premier Sports Cup as they secured automatic qualification for the Champions League group stages.

The midfielder lifted 18 major honours during his time at the Hoops but he has now found a new challenge after agreeing a two-year deal with the option of a third with Maccabi Tel Aviv in his homeland. A club statement read : "The football club has reached an agreement with Nir Bitton (30) on a two-year contract with an extension option.

"Bitton (30) joins Maccabi from Celtic where he played for 9 successful seasons and in the media made more than 270 appearances and won 18 titles.

"Bitton made his debut for the Israeli senior team in 2010 with 3 goals in 39 international appearances and another 39 appearances in the Israeli youth team uniform."

Speaking in his final Celtic interview before leaving, he told the club TV channel, “I never thought this day would come but now it’s come it’s a really sad day for me.

“This is all I know, this club, I’ve been here for nine years as a foreigner, I came here as a young boy.

“If you told me when I signed here that I would stay for nine years and win 18 trophies and make more than 270 appearances I would have bit your hand.

“It’s just a great achievement for me and my family and I’m just glad I had the opportunity to play for this amazing club, be part of this decade of the club and I’m very sad to leave.

“This club gave me a lot, it transformed me into the person and player I am today.

“I’m just glad I had the opportunity to play for this club