A year after joining Celtic from Standard Liege Michel-Ange Balikwisha is back in Belgian football.
This morning KAA Gent announced that the 25-year-old has been signed on a season long loan.
Balikwisha joined Celtic last summer in the wake of the Champions League exit to Kairat Almary.
He was quickly followed by Sebastian Tounekti as Celtic filled one position with two players.
After a tame debut at Ibrox last August in a 0-0 draw Balikwisha only started one more SPFL match.
His last Celtic appearance was in January against Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Cup.
The 25-year-old was on the bench for both matches against LASK but is now back in Belgian football.
— KAA Gent (@KAAGent) August 29, 2026
Balikwisha is an experienced player who knows the Belgian league well. He has proven on numerous occasions that he can make the difference with an individual action, an assist, or a goal. We are therefore very happy that he is joining our squad.
This season there is the prospect of Balikwisha playing against Shin Yamada in the Belgian League.
Balikwisha becomes the 17th player to leave Celtic since the end of last season.
That list includes six loan signings and Kelechi Iheanacho who joined on a short term contract after being released by Sevilla.
Since the double signing of Mika Baur and Huissem Hassan on August 13 and 14 there has been no more arrivals at Celtic.
Wednesday September 2 at 11pm is the deadline for registering Celtic’s Europa League squad with UEFA. Thursday September 3 at 5pm is the deadline for domestic signings.
Another big chunk of the wage bill slashed, we’re going to end up with fozzy in the europa league squad at this rate. Now I know how sevco fans feel, I actually had hope last week and its not long getting battered out of you. Complete farce
Editor: I’d be amazed if Genk are paying 50% of his wages. Contracted to Celtic until May 2030.
My point was more this ridiculous ‘need players off the books’ before any signings can be made nonsense. I feel a bit pathetic having allowed myself to think it was going to be any different. The AGM is going to be some craic again this year by the look of it.
Editor: Shareholders need to prepare very early for this. Every effort will be made to repeat the deflection exercise of 2025.
Literally the worst player in my memory at Celtic, and there’s been a few….cost 5m as well.
Just who exactly saw something worth 5m in that charlatan?
Baliwashka Mark II coming to Parkhead next week courtesy of Lucan and Sly McKay !