Celtic clear out underway with defender close to completing move

Osaze Urhoghide is reported to be in Belgium to complete a loan deal to Oostende. 

The defender joined Celtic in the summer from Sheffield Wednesday for a development fee but has only made one appearance- against Real Betis in the Europa League. 

Despite showing up well in that match Tony Ralston and Josip Juranovic are competing for a place at right-back with virtually no prospect of further appearances for Urhoghide. 

The Scotsman reports: 

The Scotsman reported recently that the Belgian outfit were in the race to sign the 21-year-old along with Serie A side, Verona. Now, with the transfer window almost at a close, it’s understood that he has now arrived in Belgium to sign with the First Division side as they look to try and climb up the table in the second half of the season.

It’s thought that the opportunity to play European football and also get some regular game time under his belt after a tough first season in Glasgow has played a big role in his decision on where to go, and Celtic will be keeping an eye on his progress in the coming months. 

Celtic were reported to prefer to have the player go on loan to a Scottish side but it looks like Urhoghide will take the same route that Jack Hendry took in September 2020. 

The move to Belgium worked wonders for the former Dundee defender who transformed himself from fifth or sixth choice at Celtic into a playing member of Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad at the European Championships. 

Hendry’s loan included an option to buy, with a Celtic deal running through until May 2025 Urhoghide is likely to return to Scotland in the summer for pre-season training. 

Adam Montgomery, Vasilis Barkas and Boli Bolingoli could also be going out on loan tomorrow although a move for Albian Ajeti seems unlikely with the striker unavailable due to injury.

CLICK HERE for Postecoglou discussing getting players out on loan.