After three and a half years and 31 goals, seven of them this season, David Turnbull has left Celtic to join Cardiff City.
With add-ons the deal is reported to be worth £2m according to the Daily Mail but the base fee is unknown. With his Celtic deal expiring in May the bulk of that fee is likely to be based on bonuses with Cardiff currently seven points off a Play Off place.
Turnbull was the last significant transfer deal made between Celtic and another Scottish club, his exit reduces Celtic’s UEFA options where he was one of the SFA trained players alongside Scott Bain, Greg Taylor and Mikey Johnston meeting the criteria.
Signed in August 2020 in the aftermath of losing to Ferencvaros in the Champions League, the then u-21 internationalist had to wait until December to establish himself in Neil Lennon’s side, helping Celtic to clinch the Quadruple Treble by beating Hearts in the Scottish Cup Final.
Under Ange Postecoglou he played a big role in the first half of the 20/21 season but after suffering a serious hamstring injury in the League Cup win over Hibs he found Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley ahead of him when he resumed fitness.
The last of Turnbull’s 31 Celtic goals was from a penalty against Motherwell at the end of October.
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Our new midfielder! ???????
David Turnbull is a #Bluebird! ?#CityAsOne pic.twitter.com/n5K3i73b9u
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) February 1, 2024
The midfielder told the Cardiff website:
I’m delighted, I’m buzzing to be here. It’s been a long day or two, but I’m really glad to get it over the line and can’t wait to get started. When I heard of the interest, I was very keen. It’s a huge Club. I’ve watched them in past and want to be a part of it now and kick on.
It’s a great city and when I arrived at the stadium, it was nice to see it. It’s brilliant and I’m really looking forward to it.
Cardiff boss Erol Bulut added:
I see a lot of quality. He is a good age, he played the last three seasons with Celtic, scored and assisted many goals. This is what we need in our midfield. He is creative in the offensive shape and he can finalise attacks.
We now have good options and not the same styles. We have defensive midfielders and also have more creativity. In the second half, when we want to change, we can now change a few players and have the same level.
Fckn stupid decision. All the best son.
Celtic might have to find another Scottish developed player for the CL squad.
Dave seems genuinely happy.
Obviously Gustaf Largerbielke will be “gutted”. This can work to Celtic and Gus’
advantage, provided BR gives Gus an enormous number of game time minutes.
Gus will be determined to show Rodgers that he is a quality player. He only got to play in 5 games. BR is morally obliged to do the best for Gus, because Gus will want to increase his market value over the next 15 League games. If Liam is a quality player so is Gus. Subjectively, I can’t help but have high regard for a young man who has played in 2 games for Sweden.