Celtic make a major u-turn, going from telling the club ‘no chance’ to selling a valuable asset for record price

Charlotte FC has asserted that Celtic’s stance on the sale of winger Liel Abada shifted dramatically from a firm refusal to a resounding approval.

Abada recently made the move to the MLS side following comments from Brendan Rodgers, who stated that the player was not in the right mental state to continue playing for the Premiership champions amidst the conflict in his native Israel with Hamas. Soccer Sheet reported a record fee of approximately $8 million (£6.2m) for Abada’s transfer, surpassing the previous record of $6.3 million for Enzo Copetti.

Zoran Krneta, general manager of Charlotte FC, confirmed to the outlet that Abada’s acquisition represents their largest signing to date. He highlighted that the evolving circumstances played a significant role in persuading Celtic to reconsider their initial stance, which was a firm refusal to sell the player under any circumstances.

Krneta emphasized Abada’s potential to contribute to the team’s success, noting his impressive track record despite being only 22 years old. He also underscored the rarity of acquiring a top European talent directly from Europe to the MLS, highlighting the significance of the transfer for Charlotte FC.

Reflecting on the negotiation process, Krneta acknowledged that without the unique circumstances surrounding Abada, securing his transfer from Celtic would have been considerably more challenging. He revealed that Charlotte FC had been aware of Abada for some time, having initiated discussions with Celtic about a year ago, during which the club categorically rejected the possibility of a transfer. However, the evolving situation ultimately led to a change in Celtic’s stance, enabling Charlotte FC to secure the coveted signing.