Another Celtic exit is confirmed

Moritz Bauer has announced his departure from Celtic at the end of a season long loan.

The defender arrived from Stoke City at the end of August but his first team prospects were curtailed by the emergence of Jeremy Frimpong.

Bauer only started nine matches for Celtic but seemed a popular squad member after being pitched into his debut as a substitute at Ibrox at the start of September.

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I want to thank the whole @celticfc community! I learnt from great staff, played with incredible players and won my first league title ? but nothing compares to playing at Celtic Park in front of all you supporters. What a lifetime-memory! ? I wish you all the best for the upcoming season ??? #celticfc#hailhail

A post shared by Moritz Bauer (@bauermoritz) on Jun 30, 2020 at 6:08am PDT

Celtic had been linked with Bauer a year before he made his move but the season long deal never quite worked out as both parties had wished for.

Frimpong and Hatem Adb Elhamed will compete for the right-back berth in the season ahead although Anthony Ralston and Lee O’Connor will be hoping to impress if given a chance in pre-season matches.

Bauer is under contract with Stoke until 2023, when he returns to the Championship side he’ll be hoping to impress new manager Michael O’Neill who took charge last November after Nathan Jones had been in charge for 10 months.