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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Reason no transfer clause included in Gustaf Lagerbielke Celtic loan exit revealed

Twente Enschede have admitted they couldn't afford to insert an option to buy for Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke in his loan move.

The Swedish defender has joined the Dutch club until the end of the season after Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers made it clear the 24-year-old wasn't in his first team plans.

But unusually with loan deals, there was no option to buy inserted in the deal with Celtic for Lagerbielke and he will still have another three years to go in his contract in Glasgow when he returns.

And Twente sporting director Arnold Bruggink has admitted they couldn't afford to consider a permanent move for the player at this time.

He said: "We knew there would be no option to buy with Gustaf in advance.

"Of course, you would prefer to have your own players, but we also have our own younger guys in his position, who can still grow next year.

"And we also have to look at the finances. We can't just spend the amount wanted to get players.

"We had a number of candidates in mind, but we didn't want to wait around to see if something else would come our way. You have to act when you are convinced that you have found the right player.

"That's what we did.


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"We had Gustaf in our sights for a while. You look for profiles and when Robin Pröpper left for Rangers, we wanted to get a defender who could play in his position.

"But getting a one-on-one replacement was not possible.

"Robin came to us on a free transfer three years ago and developed himself as a personality in the team. He earned his position within the group over the years. But you do not immediately bring back someone with the same status.

"We were looking for a defender who has something different than the others. I was looking for a stable player, someone who can easily adapt in a short period of time and who also has a bit more experience. We found that person in Gustaf.

"He has height, can really defend and, very pleasantly, can play left and right in the centre of defence.

"At Elfsborg he made a name for himself as a footballing defender. During that period he played two international matches for Sweden. He left for Celtic, where different things were asked of him.

"We think he is very suitable for our style of football."

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