This is really something. Vital Celtic has reported on a couple of occasions about the availability of former defender Jason Denayer.
The Belgian international defender was a popular loan signing from Manchester City back in 2014 when at just 19 years old, he formed a brilliant partnership with Virgil van Djik in that league and cup double-winning season under Ronny Deila.
Denayer also won the SPFL Young Player of the Year award that season but ruled out a permanent move to the Hoops when he said [BBC], “I hope so [when asked if he was returning to the EPL], but I don’t know. I need to wait until summer and see what is going to happen.
“It is a very good feeling because to be recognised by the other players is an amazing feeling.
“When I came here I just wanted to play some games and take some experience, but now I win trophies and personal trophies so it has gone better than I expected.”
He then returned to The Citizens where he was immediately loaned out to Galatasaray twice with a Sunderland move sandwiched in between.
He eventually made a permanent move to French Ligue 1 side Lyon for £12m [The Sun] in 2018 on a four-year deal. He went on to make over 100 appearances for the club.
His contract expired this summer and now, it seems he is set to make the move to UAE side Shabab Al Ahli.
Jason Denayer is flying right now to Dubai from Belgium tonight in order to complete his move to Shabab Al Ahli as free agent. 🛩🇧🇪🇦🇪 #transfers
Denayer, prepared to follow Manolas, Pjanić and Allan in UAE Pro League. pic.twitter.com/oJA7jOUgOt
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 26, 2022
Normally a move made by players at the end of their careers, Denayer is just entering the peak of his years at 27 years old.
With 35 caps for Belgium, I would have thought that with the World Cup on the horizon, Denayer would have been looking to get his career back on track with a view to making the squad but this move my well put the brakes on that.
Should Celtic have at least sounded him out with our current defensive situation?
It really is a strange move for Denayer and it will be interesting to see how this pans out for him.
I really don’t believe he would have ever signed for us,too busy chasing money as auual another who came on loan had reasonable season,Said all the right things then s**t on us when time came