CELTIC defender Boli Bolingoli has completed a permanent move to Belgian top-flight outfit KV Mechelen.
The left-sided defender joined the Parkhead club from Rapid Vienna in 2019 but struggled for game-time in Glasgow's East End.
An unauthorised trip to Spain during the summer of 2020 shoved the defender further down the pecking order at Celtic, and loan spells at Turkey's Istanbul Basaksehir and Russian outfit Ufa followed.
The loan at Ufa was terminated early due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and Bolingoli has now departed Scotland on a permanent deal.
The 27-year-old made 31 appearances in all competitions during his three years at Celtic.
Bolingoli's uncle, Roger Lukaku, previously played for Mechelen but the full-back says he is still to speak with him about his new club.
"I haven't talked to Roger about KV Mechelen yet," Bolingoli told the Belgian club's website.
𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐅𝐄𝐑 🖋 I Boli Bolingoli tekende voor twee seizoenen en komt de linkerflank van KVM versterken 💛❤️ Meer info 👉 https://t.co/GtKClzCuaH#trotsoponzekleuren #Boliisnekakker
— KV Mechelen (@kvmechelen) July 12, 2022
"I was just looking for a club where you notice a family feeling. This became clear from the first contact. I want to play back and have fun. That is my first goal at KV."
Mechelen sporting director Tom Caluwe added: "Boli knows what it's like to play under pressure. Club Brugge, Celtic, Rapid, they are all top teams in their league.
"With the extra bonus of playing matches in the Champions League and the Europa League ,he can give us an extra boost both defensively and offensively."
