Oliver Abildgaard 'saved' by Celtic as Denmark star faced being trapped in Russia over £1m buyout

Celtic set Oliver Abildgaard free after the incoming Hoops star was effectively trapped in Russia.

The Danish midfielder was advised he would have to cough up more than £1million to buy out his own Rubin Kazan contract. His plight in Russia even prompted Denmark's minister of sports and culture to step in on his behalf earlier this year.

Abildgaard is poised to become Celtic 's third signing from Kazan following the acquisitions of Sead Haksabanovic last week and Carl Starfelt last year. Denmark international Abildgaard made a surprise move from AaB two years initially on loan, before Rubin Kazan made the move permanent and his contract was until 2024. But with Russian clubs exiled from European competitions, that led to a mass exodus of foreign-based players in the country desperate to return. However, unlike in other sports, footballers can't break their contracts unless they pay compensation after a FIFA ruling and it would have cost Abildgaard north of £1 million to get out of his deal.

That caused the Danish government to intervene earlier this year and government minister Ane Halsboe Jorgensen said: "As a minister, I want to appeal to FIFA that if Oliver Abildgaard and any other Danish players in Russia want to get out of their contract, then the International Sports Court will not prosecute. I will also make sure that I will receive international support for that."

And Danish players' union chief Michael Sahl Hansen also promised help. He stated: "We are in continuous contact with the Danish players in Russia and we are of course ready to help them and update them on developments." Abildgaard, 26, last played for Rubin Kazan in May and made 22 appearances for them last season.