Sead Haksabanovic’s Celtic career is over after the Montenegro international moved to Swedish champions Malmo on a four-year contract.
The 25-year-old spent two years at Parkhead, registering five goals and four assists in 42 appearances across all competitions. He played his part in the Bhoys’ treble triumph of 2022/23 [Transfermarkt].
Nevertheless, Haksabanovic spent last campaign on loan at Stoke City following a public disagreement with Brendan Rodgers over his value at the club that culminated in an Instagram post where he shared his thoughts, and from then on, his time in Glasgow’s east end looked to be nearing an end.
Thanking the Celtic supporters after his exit, the winger is now set for pastures new at another side where the expectation to perform is heightened. The Hyltebruk-born man has since opened up on his exit.
Sead Haksabanovic opens up on his Celtic exit
Speaking in his official Malmo unveiling, Haksabanovic expressed excitement and outlined his desire to thrive in his new surroundings.
Cited via Fotbollskanalen, he has now shed some light on his Celtic exit, claiming that the Parkhead hierarchy wanted to keep him at the club while Rodgers had other ideas.
Firstly, he added: “In terms of football, I don’t think that Malmö and Celtic are far apart.”
Later, Haksabanovic said about Rodgers when asked what contributed to his departure: “Yes, mostly him (Rodgers), because the board wanted me to stay. They believed in me, but he had other plans.”
Either way, he doesn’t seem to hold regrets, indicating further down the line that Malmo in Sweden are comparable with Real Madrid’s hold over the Spanish football landscape.
In truth, both parties got a good deal here. Haksabanovic was unlikely to make a first-team return owing to the manner of his loan exit last term, and it is clear that a clean break was the best course of action.
According to Football Scotland, Celtic are thought to have recouped the £1.7 million spent on the winger, which can hopefully be added to Rodgers’ transfer kitty.
The former West Ham United man was a technical presence and a likeable figure under Ange Postecoglou; however, his end product in the final third sometimes left a little to be desired. All in all, he was a valuable contributor for the Bhoys, but not one who they will struggle to replace.