Who is Gustaf Lagerbielke? The Celtic transfer target who raises the bar in two areas that have been missing

Celtic have moved fast to pinpoint their replacement for Carl Starfelt with a deal underway for his fellow Sweden star Gustaf Lagerbielke.

Starfelt appears on his way to Celta Vigo and goes with Brendan Rodgers' blessing after two years of service at Parkhead. But there's no room for sentiment and there's been a feeling that his position alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers was one of the few in the Celtic first team that could have been improved upon.

Maik Nawrocki was brought in to challenge but Rodgers may be hoping it's towering Swede Lagerbielke who can step up to the plate and provide a couple of things Starfelt couldn't quite during his 24 months in Glasgow's east end. The noises from the player's homeland certainly seem to suggest he is a gem in the making, but who is he? And what can Celtic expect if he does complete an anticipated £3m switch?

Record Sport have you covered.

Something of a late bloomer, Lagerbielke was playing second-tier football as recently as 2021, but in the two years since he has made up for lost time. While Starfelt established himself as a dependable option for Celtic, Lagerbielke has made the most of his move to Elfsborg, earning himself a reputation as one of the most commanding and accomplished central defenders in Sweden.

He spent a chunk of last season on loan at Degerfors but this term has nailed down a spot with league leaders Elfsborg and his eye-catching performances earned him a Sweden debut in January of this year. He possesses a towering frame and aerial ability, and at 23 he still has physical development left to do.

It's believed Starfelt's agent Blash Hosseini has played a part in making the deal happen. Reports in Sweden say he took in their recent win over Sirius, in which