Stephen Welsh is reported to be in Belgium completing a loan move to KV Mechelen.
The defender has started just one SPFL match this season and failed to make the matchday squad for Sunday’s 3-0 win over St Mirren.
Welsh made the bulk of his Celtic appearances during the 2021 but has dropped down to third or fourth choice central defender over the last couple of seasons.
Turning 25 later this month he clearly needs to be playing first team football, Mechelen have been long time admirers with a loan move looking close to completion.
At 7.15am on their Live Transfer Blog the Record reports:
Celtic’s Stephen Welsh has arrived in Belgium to complete his loan move to KV Mechelen.
The Scottish champions have agreed terms on a loan deal until the summer. The 24-year-old is keen to get regular first-team football. Welsh will now get that opportunity to do that between now and May.
There is no option to sell from Celtic’s side. KV Mechelen have been trailing Welsh for some time and failed in a move to land him in the summer window. Welsh has found himself behind Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Liam Scales in the fight for the central defensive slots at Celtic.
Brendan Rodgers understands Walsh’s desire to play games and didn’t want to stand in his way. Welsh has another year left on his Celtic beyond this season.
The move could also protect his value by getting regular first-team action. Celtic have also brought Dane Murray back on loan from Queen’s Park to provide cover, along with Maik Nawrocki.
With Welsh about to move out on loan there will be speculation over Celtic signing another central defender.
Cameron Carter-Vickers was dogged by injuries last season, this season he has been left out of the USA National team to assist with his game management.
With Nawrocki and Murray yet to start a competitive match for Celtic this season there will be a big drop off from Scales and Trusty once Welsh completes his move to Belgium.
Mechelen have enjoyed a short winter break but return to action on Sunday away to Cercle Brugge in the Belgian Pro League.
With the season resuming Mechelen are in eighth place in the 16 team league, three points short of sixth spot with the top six breaking off to play for the title and European places.
